Activists launch Global Campaign to Release All Political Prisoners in Burma

As part of the global campaign calling for the release of all political prisoners in Burma, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and to mark Burma's Human Rights Day, activists from Free Burma Coalition-Philippines will hold a rally tomorrow (March 13, 10:30 am) infront of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office in Pasay city.

As part of the global campaign calling for the release of all political prisoners in Burma, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and to mark Burma's Human Rights Day, activists from Free Burma Coalition-Philippines will hold a rally tomorrow (March 13, 10:30 am) infront of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office in Pasay city.

The group will unfurl a “huge tarpaulin” containing faces of thousands of Filipino supporters from various parts of the country demanding the release of all political prisoners in Burma.

FBC-Philippines with the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) jointly organized a project called “8.888 Faces” photo petition which will be part of the global petition of 888,888 signatures for submission to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

“PABAON” TO ORLY MERCADO

FBC-Philippines as a sign of “pabaon” (send off message) to former Senator Orly S. Mercado, the newly appointed Permanent Representative to the ASEAN, will hand over a letter to the DFA containing the group's petition to the Philippine government to continuously engage ASEAN to effect democratic reforms in Burma and apply more pressures to Rangoon generals for the release of political prisoners.

The group pointed out that the release of all of Burma’s political prisoners is a crucial step in creating an atmosphere conducive to the process of genuine national reconciliation in Burma and ASEAN in this regard has a crucil role to play.

“We urge former senator Mercado to put among his priorities the issue of Burma when he assumed office. Mercado's favorite slogan of “Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko” must be translated to his future work inside the ASEAN. We would like to hear special envoy Mercado say that ASEAN must do something about Burma situation,” Egoy Bans, FBC-Phils spokesperson said.

Thailand based groups like the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP), Burma Partnership, and Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB) are simultaneously launching tomorrow the Free Burma’s Political Prisoners Now! Campaign with the support of various advocacy groups in the region including the Free Burma Coalition-Philippines.

Solidarity actions and other activities in the region and other parts of the world will also happen tomorrow as part of this global campaign to free all political prisoners in Burma:

THAILAND: Press Conference at Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, Bangkok (Friday Mar 13 @ 10 am)

JAPAN: March 13 (Tokyo) 2pm: Demonstration in Gotanda organized by the Joint Action Committee of Burmese Community in Japan (JAC)

INDIA: Signature Collection Campaign for 888,888

AUSTRALIA: Burma Campaign Australia- Will be launched in Sydney with NSW parliamentarians and to get support from the unions to assist with collecting signatures.

KOREA: Signature collection for 888,888
 

For inquiries: Please call +632435-2900 or +632911-0205 or call Egoy

Rally at DFA tomorrow