With almost 2000 democratic leaders and political activists still languishing in Burmese jails, Filipino solidarity activists today picketed the Burma (Myanmar) Embassy in Makati City and further denounced junta’s violations of the human rights of political prisoners.

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With almost 2000 democratic leaders and political activists still languishing in Burmese jails, Filipino solidarity activists today picketed the Burma (Myanmar) Embassy in Makati City and further denounced junta’s violations of the human rights of political prisoners.

Free Burma Coalition-Philippines and the Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition join the Global Campaign for the release of All Political Prisoners in Burma. FBC-Phils dramatized through a “street play” infront of the embassy the condition of the political prisoners in Burma which the group described as “inhumane.”

“Torture, rape and mass murder are normal occurences inside Bumese prisons. The junta cannot hide the fact that political prisoners suffer torture day and night and their families are even prohibited from visiting them. The entire country is like a huge garrison—there is no rule of law, only law of the rulers,” FBC-phils said in the statement.

Reports said political prisoners in Burma live through incredible violations of their human rights. During interrogations and detention, they face torture and ill treatment and prison management doesn’t care about the health conditions of ailing inmates. Prison cells also lack adequate food and water with poor ventilation.

FBC-Phils and APSOC also took the occasion to call for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who remain under house arrest Aung San Suu Kyi, 62, has spent 12 of the last 18 years of her political life under house arrest in Burma, this, amid increasingly vocal international demands for her immediate and unconditional release. She has been under detention since May 2003.

“This is now our challenge to the junta in Burma. If it is really sincere to come up with tangible democratic reforms it must start with releasing all the political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi and let them participate in all the processes for genuine national reconcilliation. The international community is closely watching the junta and there is no way we can be fooled by the usual empty promises of the generals,” the FBC-Phils added.