Myanmar monks demand the release of political prisoners

[News_Editor]

Myanmar monks demand the release of political prisoners

2011-11-16 13:33:03 GMT+7 (ICT)

YANGON (BNO NEWS) -- A group of Buddhist monks staged a protest in Myanmar on Tuesday to call for the release of thousands of political prisoners, a Burmese news organization in exile reported on Wednesday.

The five Burmese monks used a hand-held loudspeaker to announce the protest while banners reading "Release Political Prisoners," "Stop Civil War" and "Give Us Freedom" were hung on the outside wall of the hall they occupied. Nearly 500 people gathered to hear their talk and offered water to support the monks.  

The group, led by former exiled monk-activist Ashin Sopaka, has requested talks by phone with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss the release of political prisoners. However, as of Wednesday, the group has been unable to talk to her.

Soon after the protest began on Tuesday, the monks met four times with a delegation sent by the authorities, according to the Mizzima news organization. The monks eventually agreed to move to a new location for the next three days. Some 300 onlookers followed them.

Monks who are politically active have been a source of concern for the Burmese government for decades. In 2007, up to 100,000 people marched in the capital of Naypyidaw in a protest led by monks against the worsening economic situation in the Asian country.

The army cracked down on the non-violent protest in 2007, killing at least 31 monks and civilians.

Most recently, Burma, ruled by military regimes since 1962, has been trying to move cautiously toward democracy. Western governments have been pressuring the government to release political prisoners and embark on democratic reforms, but progress has been slow.

Last month, the Burmese government released more than 200 political prisoners, a move welcomed by the international community. Some 20,000 prisoners were also released on May 16 after President Thein Sein announced a one-year presidential commutation, but only a few were political prisoners.

According to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma, there are at least 1,998 political prisoners in 42 prisons and 109 labor camps across Burma, which is formally known as Myanmar. Late last year, authorities released pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi after years under house arrest.

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