Burma's Political Prisoners

The FCO is running a campaign, in association with the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), Human Rights Watch and Burma Campaign UK to highlight the plight of Burma's over 2100 prisoners of conscience.

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Between now and the elections the junta plan for next year, the campaign will highlight the story of one Burmese political prisoner a week, aiming to give these student and civil society leaders, lawyers, union activists, ethnic and religious figures a public personality in their own right, to make these very brave people more than a number. We start be highlighting five of the most high profile of these prisoners.

It's a sobering thought that there are so many prisoners of conscience in Burma that it would take over forty years to profile them all. And numbers do not remain static. The regime continue to imprison anyone who might speak against them, however mildly, and very few genuine political prisoners are released - the long sentences of 65 - 100 years ensure this.

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U Gambira - Saffron Revolution leader

One of the most emblematic young monks. Played a leadership role in the Saffron Revolution in 2007 when monks overturned their rice bowls to excommunicate the regime.

Sentenced to 63 years in prison, 10 years hard labour. In a remote prison, in poor health and denied family visits. He says: “it matters little if my life or lives of my colleagues should be sacrificed on this journey. Others will fill our sandals”

Su Su Nway - champion of the workforce

An NLD member and a dedicated Labour Activist. Recognised by international human rights awards from Canada and the Czech Republic for her work in bringing forced labour to the attention of the ILO. Aged 38.

Imprisoned for 8 years and six months in a jail 700 miles from her home in Rangoon. Recently placed in solitary confinement for three days for singing an independence anthem.

In frail health, her heart problem has seriously worsened in prison. In 2007 she said. “We held demonstrations for all the people, including those who beat us. [They] are also facing difficult daily lives.”

Thin Thin Aye aka Mie Mie

Leader of the 88 Generation Students Group. Worked for the NLD election campaigning in 1990.

Took part in the Saffron Revolution in 2007. Sentenced to 65 years with hard labour, the court refused her family permission to attend and subsequently handed down prison sentences to her lawyers for representing her.

On sentencing Mie Mie declared “We will never be frightened!” She has a degree in Zoology and is married with two children aged 17 and 12.

Her health is deteriorating in prison in Irrawaddy, a long way from her family in Rangoon.

Zarganar - sentenced to 35 years

Comedian, film actor and director from an intellectual and political family.

Zarganar is a nickname meaning “Tweezers.” A qualified dentist, he was involved in the 8888 uprising and Saffron Revolution in 2007.

Aged 48 and in deteriorating health, he was sentenced to 35 years for his involvement in cyclone relief efforts. He is incarcerated in tiny cell in a prison many miles from his family who have been denied visiting rights - even after making the trip.

He has spoken of previous prison terms - of being kept with dogs,of seeing monks with gunshot wounds and broken bones and of young lives destroyed.

Min Ko Naing - 'nobody can hide from justice'

Talented artist, poet and satirist.

Co-founder and spokesperson of the 88 Generation of Students Group. Sentenced with other 88 Generation Group members to over 65 years in prison. He is 46 and in failing health. He has been held in solitary confinement and is suspected to have been tortured.

At his trial he declared: “You can sentence us to a thousand years in prison for our political activities, but we will continue to defend ourselves in accordance with the law. Nobody can hide from justice.”