Wednesday, 26 October 2011 20:28 Phanida
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Fifteen political prisoners in Insein Prison in Rangoon started a hunger strike at noon on Wednesday, demanding remission of their sentences, according to a statement by the Helping Network for Families of Political Prisoners (HNFPP).
Political prisoners refused to have lunch and informed chief prison official Win Naing, according to the statement.
Although ordinary prisoners have received remission, or early release, political prisoners have not received remission since 1997, said Aung Zaw Tun, one of the HNFPP leaders.
“We have announced that they will continue their hunger strike until their demand is fulfilled. The length of the strike will depend on how the authorities respond,” said Aung Zaw Tun.
Section 347 of the Constitution says, “The Union shall guarantee every person enjoys equal rights before the law and shall equally be provided legal protection.”
A prison manual of the Directorate of Prison says that all prisoners, except prisoners who received a death sentence or life, can be given remission.
The Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma labeled the recent amnesty a “so-called amnesty.” It said there are about 1,700 political prisoners across Burma, including 100 political prisoners who are in ill health. According to figures compiled by AAPP-B, about 200 political prisoners were released on October 12.
Officials with the National League for Democracy said 218 political prisoners were included in the 6,359 prisoners released starting on October 12. The government has provided no official figures of the number of persons released. The amnesty was granted after approval by the National Defence and Security Council.
Political prisoners who are said to be on a hunger strike in Insein Prison in Rangoon.
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Fifteen political prisoners in Insein Prison in Rangoon started a hunger strike at noon on Wednesday, demanding remission of their sentences, according to a statement by the Helping Network for Families of Political Prisoners (HNFPP).
Political prisoners refused to have lunch and informed chief prison official Win Naing, according to the statement.
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An aerial view of Insein Prison. Photo: Mizzima |
Although ordinary prisoners have received remission, or early release, political prisoners have not received remission since 1997, said Aung Zaw Tun, one of the HNFPP leaders.
“We have announced that they will continue their hunger strike until their demand is fulfilled. The length of the strike will depend on how the authorities respond,” said Aung Zaw Tun.
Section 347 of the Constitution says, “The Union shall guarantee every person enjoys equal rights before the law and shall equally be provided legal protection.”
A prison manual of the Directorate of Prison says that all prisoners, except prisoners who received a death sentence or life, can be given remission.
The Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma labeled the recent amnesty a “so-called amnesty.” It said there are about 1,700 political prisoners across Burma, including 100 political prisoners who are in ill health. According to figures compiled by AAPP-B, about 200 political prisoners were released on October 12.
Officials with the National League for Democracy said 218 political prisoners were included in the 6,359 prisoners released starting on October 12. The government has provided no official figures of the number of persons released. The amnesty was granted after approval by the National Defence and Security Council.
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