Blog Elements – Page 421

COVID-19 & HUMAN RIGHTS

As cases of COVID-19 spread globally,
there are legitimate concerns that the response in Burma will be rooted in a militarised approach. Burma has formed an emergency task force with military and civilian ministries to support measures around law enforcement and stability and to step up government efforts to respond to the pandemic in the country.

However, these efforts have been met with caution as it appears the Burma Army is only interested in preserving their power through any means possible. The military has their own budget and facilities for health and care, which are inaccessible to the majority of the population. It has been made clear that the military is well prepared to protect themselves from COVID-19, though the same cannot be said for civilians.

Despite a government plan and commitment to provide basic essentials
to poor people to fight COVID-19 including, rice, oil, salt, bean and onion, to those in need during the traditional Thingyan water festival, civil society organisations (CSOs) are worried this is not enough. Government assistance should include Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well.

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Blue Shirt Campaign on 6^thAnniversary of Journalist U Win Tin’s Death

Dear Friends,

20 April 2020

#BlueShirt4Burma #BlueShirtDay

The coronavirus COVID-19 is affecting over one million people around the world and over 100,000 people have lost their lives. In Burma, the number of COVID-19 infections has surged to 111 in total and Burma has been making its extreme effort to curb the Pandemic. Civil Society Organizations including Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) also called for consideration of prisons and detention centers and release political prisoners in the process of containing COVID-19. And also, the State released 24869 prisoners including 18 political prisoners for the purpose of reducing the overcrowded population of prisons.

However, there are 58 convicted political prisoners and 126 detained activists facing trial inside prisons while 394 outside prison. Among those, some were arrested for claiming their rights and some criticizing the government and military leaders while others are ethnics leaders and peasants.

There is less pressure from leaders and individuals of other countries on the Burma government to release political prisoners because they would be the opinion that there are no political prisoners in Burma.

To change those opinions, we need the help of our friends to show that there are still political prisoners in Burma.

U Win Tin was one of Burma’s most well-known respectable and honorable man. He served nearly 20 years in prison and after his release he pledged to keep wearing his blue shirt until all political prisoners were released. On 21 April 2020, it has been six years long since his death. Therefore, on this very day, let’s wear a blue shirt together with us as calling for the unconditional release of all political prisoners.

Please join us and from now on, note in your diary to wear a blue shirt every 21st of April. And, please prompt your friends to wear and post a picture of yourself on Facebook and other social media using the hashtag: #blueshirt4burma.

The presence of political prisoners should not be forgetful and there should not be any political prisoners.

We would be grateful for your cooperation.

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP)

#BlueShirt4Burma #BlueShirtDay