Freedom for Ma Khin Khin Leh

To: Senior General Than Shwe
Chairman, State Peace and Development Council
c/o Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
2300 S Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008

Dear Senior General Than Shwe:

We respectfully urge you to take swift action to free prisoner of conscience Ma Khin Khin Leh, who has been imprisoned solely due to her peaceful political activities. Ma Khin Khin Leh and her husband were among a group of people planning a demonstration to take place in the town of Bago on July 19, 1999. Days before the demonstration was to occur, security agents arrested Ma Khin Khin Leh and her three-year-old daughter. Although her daughter was released after five days in detention, Ma Khin Khin Leh was transferred to Insein Prison in Yangon. Following an unfair trial, a court sentenced her in December 1999 to life imprisonment under vaguely-worded security legislation. Ma Khin Khin Leh is believed to be held in Myanmar's notorious Insein Prison, where she reportedly suffers from an unspecified lung problem, rheumatoid arthritis and dysentery. Amnesty International is concerned for her safety and well-being.

We are concerned that broad security laws are used in Myanmar to prosecute people for peaceful political and religious activities. As you know, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts that all people have the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the right to peaceful assembly and association.

We urge you to bring about the immediate and unconditional release of Ma Khin Khin Leh and all prisoners of conscience in Myanmar. Thank you.