The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) is deeply concerned at the continued detention of five (5) citizens in Myanmar/Burma who were recently arrested or what seems to be a move to further suppress peaceful efforts to promote democracy in the country.The reported arrests and continued detention of Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Htay Kywe, Min Zeya and Pyone Cho are clear signs that the junta is not serious about its said – commitment to adopt internal democratic reforms.The five former student leaders, who were reportedly not involved in any violent street demonstrations or committing crimes when arrested, are seen by many Burmese people and organisations as advocates of a peaceful reconciliation to the political deadlock in Burma.Given that the junta has failed to bring them to trial, after days of being detained, the AIPMC calls for their immediate release as that of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners.As it has been clearly stated on more than one occasion – by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma Mr Paulo Sergio Pinheiro – that treatment of political prisoners / detainees in Burma is cause for serious concern, the AIPMC urges prison authorities and the junta to respect the rights of an individual as a human being and treat their detainees with care pending their release.AIPMC, an organisation of Parliamentarians from countries within ASEAN, fully condemns the continued show of tyranny by the Military Generals in Burma and strongly urges the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take note of these recent arrests and weigh it when deliberating the issue of
Burma, now on its permanent agenda. We further encourage UN Under Secretary-General Mr Ibrahim Gambari, reportedly poised for a high-level meeting with the junta in the near future, to critically consider that the de-facto Burmese government has shown no clear signs or evidence that it is reforming its undemocratic state.For further inquires/media contact, please call Roshan Jason (AIPMC Executive Secretary) at: + 6012 – 375 0974
