NZ politicians 'don't care' about Kiwi jailed in Myanmar for 'insulting' Buddha

[Jonathan Fairfield]

NZ politicians 'don't care' about Kiwi jailed in Myanmar for 'insulting' Buddha

The father of a Wellington man imprisoned in Myanmar is becoming increasingly fearful for his son, and says there is little political will at home to help.

It comes as the imprisoned man awaits a potential legal lifeline.

Philip Blackwood, of Upper Hutt, managed the VGastro Bar in Yangon, but was jailed after he used a psychedelic image of Buddha wearing headphones to promote a cheap drinks night at the venue.

The 32-year-old has been locked up in the notorious Insein Prison, Yangon, for 10 months now.

Blackwood was arrested, found guilty of insulting the Buddhist religion and sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison with hard labour.

The prison is notorious for its human rights violations, including torture and killing of inmates. In 2008, guards reportedly shot at 100 prisoners, killing 36.

Brian Blackwood said he was aware his son's case had been raised by Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully with the Myanmar government but this amounted to "no political pressure at all".

Read more: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/72288477/father-of-wellington-man-wasting-away-in-myanmar-jail-new-zealand-politicians-dont-care

[kiwikeith]

Mc Cully is a political twerp, he could never get a job outside parliament except maybe at the circus as a clown.

Blackwoods biggest hope is to get some oposition MP to embaress John Key into action, however Mc Cully did sweet f all in having a go at the Thai Police over the New Zealanders poisened to death in the Chiang Mai guest house.

Don,t hold your breath as Britain has been as weak as peev over the KOh Tao 2 as well.

[Sutty]

If you can't take the punishment don't do the crime no sympathy here I'm afraid to many people think they can do as they please in foreign countries then start crying and dissing there home countries politicians.BOTTOM line you did the crime you do the punishment end of

[gregk0543]

Really he did not commit a crime and has been falsely convicted.

Recently illegal chinese loggers were given the death sentence in Myanmar only to be released and deported to China a few weeks later.

So please compare these two cases. If the NZ govt. made a fuss he would be released.

He has been made a good enough example of. Hopefully after the Nov 8th election the new NLD govt. will release him.

[billd766]

Really he did not commit a crime and has been falsely convicted.

Recently illegal Chinese loggers were given the death sentence in Myanmar only to be released and deported to China a few weeks later.

So please compare these two cases. If the NZ Govt.. made a fuss he would be released.

He has been made a good enough example of. Hopefully after the Nov 8th election the new NLD govt. will release him.

How do you know this?

Do you have any kinks, news reports etc to back up what you say?

[Sutty]

Yeh Yeh and jack the ripper was framed as well

[gregk0543]

Ok our Kiwi was charged with what? “insulting religion”. This requires intent of which he had none. Read his own remarks.

Two other myanmar were also charged and they did not even upload the image or have any knowlege or intent.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2957030/Wait-goes-bar-manager-arrested-held-Myanmar-insulting-Buddhism-posted-picture-psychedelic-Buddha-wearing-headphones-Facebook.html

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/03/myanmar-buddha-bar-verdict-a-blow-to-freedom-of-expression/

Ok chinese were given life sentences not death sentences.

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/editorial/life-sentences-153-chinese-loggers-should-be-reconsidered

They were released a few weeks later.

http://mizzima.com/news-opinion/presidential-amnesty-more-anger-benefit-releasing-chinese-loggers

So in summary. There are 3 innocent people in jail over the trumped up charge of insulting religion which never was the intent of the bar manager.

Over 150 Chinese illegally logging in Myanmar who were guilty and given life sentences are released 2 weeks after sentencing.

I rest my case. This does not sound like justice to me. But you are free to disagree.

I am a Buddhist and I am offended by the lack of compassion or understanding shown by the Myanmar courts in Mr Blackwood's case. They are using it for a political purpose and it is not a case any Buddhist could be proud of or feel that justice was served.

But we all know how the TV judges and jury have an open mind and love to troll it up. May all involved be happy and free from suffering.

[Sutty]

I have read the press realese above and the guilt is there he admits it has regret yes but he admitted to the crime you can not compare the other case re Chinese loggers that's just straw clutching. I belive my first post still stands he did the crime now he can do the time. And before it comes back but this and but that and he didn't intend to insult anyone the fact is he did and got caught well I say caught trapped himself on FB.

[cookee68]

Every one knows what these religious 3rd world countries are like when it comes to religion, Freaks, and barbarians comes to mind when religion is involved, even the politicians know this, and there is nothing they will or can do about it, Apedo would be treated better than someone who insults their religion,come to think about it, most religions are based around pedo.s, And Facebook is more an enemy than a friend,

[gregk0543]

I have read the press realese above and the guilt is there he admits it has regret yes but he admitted to the crime you can not compare the other case re Chinese loggers that's just straw clutching. I belive my first post still stands he did the crime now he can do the time. And before it comes back but this and but that and he didn't intend to insult anyone the fact is he did and got caught well I say caught trapped himself on FB.

The other two Burmese did not do the crime and are doing time.

Mr Blackwood uploaded the image but it was not intended to insult religion. So it is a point of law that maybe he is innocent. The other two burmese who had no connection to the offence except they ran the same bar and had no knowlege of what Mr Blackwood did are surely a little bit innocent.

The 150 chinese did the crime and are not doing time.

How is that clutching at straws? It is a great example of the lack of justice in the justice system.

A great example of a lack of compassion in the justice system.

But maybe you dont notice it.

I once saw a Minister in the govt of Myanmar and his wife put in jail for 7 years for importing an electronic organ without a permit.

He actually attempted a coup but this is what they charged him with.

Can you see why the chinese loggers should be given an amnesty by the President whereas Mr Blackwood who has been in Jail since last December maybe would be a worthier recipient of compassion?

In a sea of lies the only thing that floats is truth.

[Stargeezr]

I was in Bangkok a while back and seen a story in the Bangkok Post, where a German family

had arrived in Thailand, and on that day after they had checked into their hotel, they went to

the one of the tourist attractions where there were Buddha statues, and they ignored a large sign in multiple

languages, Thai, English, German, French and Spanish. Instead of reading it, they gave a guard their

camera and climbed on a Buddha statue. The guard took a few pictures of them, then arrested them all.

They went to a jail where they spent the better part of the day all together in that cell, and overnight.

The next morning they went to the courthouse, and were charged, as well as ordered to leave Thailand.

They were escorted to the airport, and were sent back to Germany, with their luggage after being in Thailand for only

two days. I thought it was a great news story, and it made me chuckle for quite a while.

Read about the country where you will be travelling to, including their customs, and then be careful

and keep out of trouble. Do not insult Buddha, or the Royal family, and do not get involved with politics, just be a tourist and enjoy your time in a foreign tropical country. The same can be said for people visiting Myanmar. Good luck to the Kiwi.

[jalansanitwong]

Opening a bar in a backwater third world country is just asking for trouble. I know a Brit who did up a pub in Laos and was later booted out of the country over some trivial matter.

I will assume most cops in Burma are corrupt so why couldnt he just pay a 'fine' ?

You cant blame the Kiwi government for not getting him out. New Zealand would have virtually no influence overseas whatsoever and probably give very little AID money to these countries.

Britain is a different story but they simply couldnt be bothered with all these Brits filling up cells in overseas prisons.

Edited September 27, 2015 by jalansanitwong

[gomangosteen]

Kiwi who insulted Buddha released from Myanmar prison
Last updated 20:06, January 22 2016

Wellington man Philip Blackwood, who has been in jail in Myanmar since late 2014, has been released from prison, 3 News reported.

He had been arrested by authorities for posting a picture of Buddha in headphones on Facebook, to promote his local bar.

The 32-year-old, who has dual New Zealand and British citizenships, was deemed to have insulted religion.

His father Brian told 3 News that he will be sent back to New Zealand in the next few days.

Blackwood's friend Nathan Green, a Southeast Asia-based political and business consultant, said he should have never been arrested.

"By releasing him as part of the presidential pardon, they'll go some way towards appeasing the hardline monks and save face," he said.

"It would be charitable to Myanmar's judicial and political system to call his release overdue.

"He should never have been charged, let alone convicted in the first place. It's a black mark on the country's name, as has been the detention of the other political prisoners now being released."

​

[shirtless]

Government officials are to busy having a good time on our coin, they dont make waves on your behalf as it may upset their future business partners