88 New Generation Students

Dear friends,

We, 88 New Generation Students (UK) , would like to kindly invite you all to support and participate in the protest, calling on the Thein Sein government to release of all the remaining political prisoners in Burma.

We do not deny that the Burmese government took on a new political shape from dictatorship to quasi-civil government after having unilateral, illegitimate election in 2010 . In an effort to save off pressure and criticism from the international community, the new Burmese government’s January 2012 amnesty, saw the largest number of political prisoners release since 2004 . This fortunately included our prominent student leaders, monk leaders and ethnic leaders.

Of course,we welcome this as a first positive sign towards democratization. However, by just merely witnessing these initial gestures made by the Burmese government, their original intention to get sanctions lifted and gain international legitimacy should not be forgotten. There should be more actions taken by the Thein Sein government to move on to significant, substantial and long-lasting political changes in our country in line with the democratic system practised by the every democratic nation. To be able to implement this, the most fundamental step, is the release of all the remaining political prisoners by the Thein Sein government and with a declaration promising to the people of Burma and the international community, that there will be no such political prisoners in Burma in the future.

In addition, despite the initial steps undertaken by the Thein Sein government, there is still ongoing persist tensions and suppression of any forms in all the ethnic areas especially in the northern and eastern Burma. As a result, this creates a far distant hope for the ethnic nationalities for returning home safe and in peace which has already vanished over many decades.

So we are going to hold a protest to strongly urge the Thein Sein government:

(1) To unconditionally release all the remaining political prisoners in Burma

(2) To declare a nationwide ceasefire and solve the ethnic issues, with a peaceful, inclusive political dialogue

(3) To start working on national reconciliation

Program details

Date: 26th January 2012 (Thursday)
Time: 12:00 to 1:00pm
Venue: Burmese Embassy
19A Charles Street
London W1J 5DX

To show our solidarity, we would respectfully like to ask all organizations and individuals who are working hard for the freedom of all political prisoners and democracy in our country to join hand in hand. Your continued support and cooperation is essential to bring freedom, justice, human rights and democracy in Burma.

Yours sincerely,

88 New Generation Students (UK)