All Burma Monks’ Alliance

The 88 Generation Students

All Burma Federation of Student Unions

No: 6/2009
Date: September 24, 2009
Announcement on the Release of Political Prisoners in Burma

(1) The Burmese military regime announced through its media on 17 September 2009 that it would
grant a pardon to 7114 prisoners. We wholeheartedly welcome their release, not only the political
prisoners but also the other convicted prisoners.

(2) The Burmese regime explained that it pardoned these prisoners so they could support the building
of a new country and to serve the interests of region and the state. We hope these words are not just
courtesy. If the regime really realizes the great value of letting all people participate in the building of
a new country and genuinely wants to allow them to participate in the country’s political process, it
should prove its sincerity by releasing all political prisoners immediately.

(3) By only pardoning some political prisoners, the regime will not be able to mislead to the people of
Burma and the National League for Democracy. Nor will they mislead the international community,
including the United Nations and ASEAN, who all have been repeatedly calling for the release of all
political prisoners. Their demands will not disappear. The political prisoners should be released, but
they should not be used by the regime as pawns or hostages to stage a political ploy. The problems in
Burma will not be solved without good will.

(4) An immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Burma, including Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi, U Hkun Htun Oo, Ashin Gambira, Min Ko Naing, Kyaw Ko Ko, is the only way to
prove the sincerity and good will of the Burmese military regime towards the people of Burma and to
gain the people’s trust.

(5) Freedom of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners is a part of the process of national
reconciliation and it will also be the beginning of the path towards freedom from the political,
economic and social problems that Burma faces.

Hence, to make all people of Burma able to participate in the country’s political process freely and
equally, we demand again that the Burmese military regime releases all political prisoners, including
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, immediately and unconditionally.

All Burma Monks’ Alliance

The 88 Generation Students
All Burma Federation of Student Unions
Rangoon, Burma