Amnesty International has special focus cases where they work to release prisoners of conscience. On July 20th Mesfin Woldemariam, a prisoner of conscience in Ethiopia, was freed along with 37 other Ethiopian opposition party officials. As I looked at the other cases on the website I came to a woman whose story caught my eye.
Ma Khin Khin Leh, a prisoner of conscience in Myanmar, was sentenced to life in prison in December of 1999. A life sentence was handed down in her case because she was planning a peaceful demonstration to protest government policies and to show support for the National League for Democracy. Before the demonstration could take place, authorities moved to prevent it and arrested Ma Khn Khin Leh. Today, AI believes she is being held in Insein Prison. Her safety and well-being are a concern as it is reported that she suffers from an unspecified lung problem, rheumatoid arthritis, and dysentery. Seven years is enough. Let’s work to get Ma Khin Khin Leh free.
Please send politely worded letters to the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, urging him to bring about the immediate and unconditional release of Ma Khin Khin Leh and all prisoners of conscience in Myanmar. Write 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
To obtain more information about AI’s special focus cases or information about Ma Khin Khin Leh’s case you can visit: http://www.amnestyusa.org/.
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