MYANMAR: Sports Journalist Zaw Thet Htwe & Seven Law Students
Sign Now
We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Zaw Thet Htwe, 37, the editor of First Eleven, Myanmars most popular sports magazine and of seven law students: Aung Gyi, Aung Ko Lwin, Kyaw Maung, Myo Myint Tun, Myo Than Htut, Nang Siang None and Win Htut Lwin. We also call on authorities not to penalize individuals for peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association, as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Zaw Thet Htwe was arrested and charged with "high treason" in November 2003. He had reportedly taken the risk of exposing irregularities on the part of the Myanmar sports officials. He was initially sentenced to death, but his sentence was reduced to three years imprisonment in May 2004 due to extensive international pressure. Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders believe him to be a prisoner of conscience, arrested for exercising his right to freedom of expression. He is one of 1,350 prisoners of conscience and political prisoners who have been detained in Myanmar for exercising rights recognized by international law.
The seven law students were detained in June 2003, and were sentenced to terms of seven to fifteen years imprisonment. Authorities arrested them because they had established a student union for sports, including football, without official permission. Students in Myanmar are denied the right to form independent student unions, and scores are serving lengthy prison sentences because they demonstrated for this and other student rights.
Zaw Thet Htwe was arrested and charged with "high treason" in November 2003. He had reportedly taken the risk of exposing irregularities on the part of the Myanmar sports officials. He was initially sentenced to death, but his sentence was reduced to three years imprisonment in May 2004 due to extensive international pressure. Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders believe him to be a prisoner of conscience, arrested for exercising his right to freedom of expression. He is one of 1,350 prisoners of conscience and political prisoners who have been detained in Myanmar for exercising rights recognized by international law.
The seven law students were detained in June 2003, and were sentenced to terms of seven to fifteen years imprisonment. Authorities arrested them because they had established a student union for sports, including football, without official permission. Students in Myanmar are denied the right to form independent student unions, and scores are serving lengthy prison sentences because they demonstrated for this and other student rights.
Sign The Petition
Continue with Google
OR
If you already have an account please sign in, otherwise register an account for free then sign the petition filling the fields below.
Email and password will be your account data, you will be able to sign other petitions after logging in.
Shoutbox
Goal
150 signatures
Goal: 1,000
Tags
No tags
Embed Codes
direct link
link for html
link for forum without title
link for forum with title
