For Immediate Release Tuesday 4th September 2007
Activists in 21 countries are today taking part in a 24 hour hunger strike
in solidarity with 41 detained protestors who are on hunger strike in Burma.
The detained protestors, now on their sixth day of hunger strike, are
demanding that the Burmese military regime allow medical treatment for one
of their number, Ye Thein Naing, (aka) Oo Way. His leg was broken when he
was attacked by a regime militia as he took part in a peaceful protest. Last
night the hunger strikers were removed from Kyaikkasan Detention Center.
Their current whereabouts is unknown.
³We want everyone in Burma to know that we are with them,² said Myo Thein,
Campaigns Officer at the Burma Campaign UK. ³Today people on five continents
are joining with those on hunger strike in Burma, and those who are bravely
protesting against the regime. People across the world are uniting against
the regime.²
Campaigners in the UK, Germany, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Sweden, Portugal,
South Africa, Italy, USA, Denmark, Hong Kong, Belgium, Canada, Thailand,
Burma, Australia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Czech Republic and Austria will be
taking part.
It is now 17 days since protests began in response to fuel price increases
of up to 500 percent. Almost 200 arrests have been made, including prominent
democracy activists such as Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi. Burma is notorious
for its use of torture against political opponents.
Following pressure from Burma solidarity groups in Europe, European Union
foreign ministers will discuss the current crisis when they meet on 7th and
8th September. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also backed
campaigners¹ calls for the United Nations Security Council to discuss the
situation in Burma.
Today¹s hunger strike was initiated by Burma Campaign UK and Christian
Solidarity Worldwide, and is being support by pro-democracy organisations
worldwide.
For more information contact Myo Thein on 07877882386, or Mark Farmaner on
07941239640.
—
Mark Farmaner
Acting Director
Burma Campaign UK
28 Charles Sq
London
N1 6HT
Mobile: 0794 123 9640
Tel: 00 44 (0)207 324 4713
Fax: 00 44 (0)207 324 4717
E-mail mark.farmaner@burmacampaign.org.uk
www.burmacampaign.org.uk