Petition Starts In Rakhine

5 January 2008
Original report by Aye Nai, DVB

Thousands of people signed the petition in Rakhine State, Western Burma, the first of the mass movements for 2008.

About 7000 people signed in the petition for the release of U Khin Hla, secretary, NLD Party , Rakhine and Ko Min Aung, treasurer, which is to be sent to authorities, it is reported.

Both gentlemen were arrested and imprisoned for reporting the prevalence of forced labour and forced recruitment of child soldiers. This is in direct contravention of the Supplementary Understanding reached on 26 February 2007 between the ILO (International Labour Organisation) and the junta.

Ko Moe Naing Soe, an NLD Party promotional team member, said, ' Signatures from all over the state have been collected and we have had about 7000, altogether. The petition will be sent off to senior general Than Shwe, in a few days' time.'

U Khin Hla is serving 4 years sentence and Ko Min Aung 2 years in Than Dwe' prison.

There have been some other petitions in Rangoon and other areas.

To read the agreement of the 26 February 2007 ,a Supplementary Understanding between the ILO and Myanmar government, please click here.