Campaigning for freedom

Of Myanmar’s more than 2,200 political prisoners, many of them are Prisoners of Conscience. Without a political opposition able to freely campaign and express dissenting views, the ability for people to exercise their right to public participation in the context of the elections is severely constrained.

We are also campaigning on behalf of Myanmar's often overlooked ethnic minorities, who play an important role in the country's political opposition.Ethnic minorities constitute some 35-40 percent of Myanmar's population and they are being arrested, imprisoned, and in some cases tortured or even killed by the authorities.
 

Without the protection of these ‘Three Freedoms’ associated with the elections, repression against political opponents is likely to intensify.
 

The Myanmar Government wanted this year’s vote to give it a mandate to rule, that is recognised by the world – and in particular its closest neighbours. These close neighbours are members of ASEAN - the Association of South East Asian Nations - of which Myanmar is a member. Last year when the Government charged Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with breaking the terms of her house arrest, we put pressure on ASEAN. As a result they spoke out and condemned Myanmar’s actions with unprecedented strength.

We still need them to speak out again in support of the “Three Freedoms”

TAKE ACTION>>

Stand with the people of Myanmar and demand their freedom

Add your name to our global petition to demand the Three Freedoms for the people of Myanmar. Visit 3freedoms.amnesty.org to act now.

DONATE>>

Make a donation to Amnesty's Myanmar Election Appeal - a gift from you today will help us to continue putting pressure on Myanmar now and beyond the elections.

"Your support will provide hope for those in prison and serve as a reminder, even in their darkest hours, that the world has not forgotten them," Aung Khaing Min, Burmese political activist and former Amnesty prisoner of conscience.

MEET AUNG KHAING MIN>>

Burmese activist and former Amnesty Prisoner of Conscience Aung Khaing Min visited New Zealand to speak of his life experience as a human rights activist since the age of 14 in Myanmar (Burma).

Aung Khaing Min has been dedicated to the fight for human rights in Myanmar (Burma). But he has paid a heavy price for his activism – he has been unfairly imprisoned and tortured, lost the right to live in his home country, and forced to leave behind friends and family members still languishing in prison. Click here to see more details.

Learn more

• Learn more about Amnesty's Myanmar 'Freedom' Campaign.
• Meet Aung Khaing Min, Burmese human rights activist and former prisoner of conscience.
• News: NZ parliamentarians support Freedom for Myanmar (13 October 2010)
• Open letter to ASEAN leaders at the ASEAN Summit (28-30 October 2010, Hanoi) from AI's Asia-Pacific Directors