FREE THE THIRTEEN: Call to Action

Freedom of expression is not a crime! Yet, thirteen peace activists in Myanmar have been charged by police and could face 10 years jail time for leading peaceful marches on 21st September 2012, which also marked UN’s International Peace Day.

Despite a political reform, human rights and ethnic disputes remain key issues in Myanmar. These peace activists aimed to resolve the ongoing civil conflicts in Kachin State and other ethnic areas by creating an awareness through these peaceful marches.

The peace activists were initially denied permission by the authorities to march for reasons such as causing “traffic congestion” and “disturbances to the people”. They went on with the marches and had been arrested just because they broke the law under Article 18 of the Assembly and Procession bylaw – “Staging a public gathering without official permission.” All of them might face up to 10-year jail time as a result.

They were peace-lovers who wanted to stop the war in their own country. They carried out their peaceful marches without causing harm to the other people. Help them now by appealing to the government to release them of these unfair charges.

We are young people from Southeast Asia.
Join us in our campaign to help the 13 by appealing to the government to drop charges and release them.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1) Find out more information regarding the situation

The Irrawaddy : Peace Day Protest Goes Ahead in Rangoon
Democratic Voice of Burma : A Call for Peace

The Irrawaddy : 13 Peace Activists Charged in Burma

Democratic Voice of Burma : Police to Charge Peace Activists Following Friday’s Rallies

Karen News : Peace Day Protesters Prepared to Test the Law

Human Rights Watch : Burma: Peaceful Protest Organizers Charged

UPI.com : Myanmar’s reform record at risk

Voice of America :Rights Group Urges Burma to Drop Charges Against Peace Activists

International Freedom of Expression Exchange :Burma charges Peaceful Protest Organisers

Kachin News : Rights Group Calls Charges to be Dropped Against Kachin Peace Protesters

Waging Non-violence: Activists organize to ‘Free the Thirteen’ in Burma
In Indonesian language: Surat dari Rangoon
In Thai Language: นักเคลื่อนไหวในอาเซียนรวมกลุ่มรณรงค์ “ปล่อย 13 นักโทษการเมือง” ในพม่า

2) Spread awareness, share the news!

-Share our Facebook campaign page to as many people as possible so they know about this situation.
-Tweet about the campaign and situation using hashtag #freethe13. Other suggested hastags include #humanrights #Burma #Myanmar
-Share our posters and video via Facebook
-Share this post
-Share our petition page

3) Show your support
- email or write to human rights organizations, UN or US State Sect or
- sign our petition
- write opinion pieces to newspapers and blog about this issue
-share your thoughts with us via comments or e-mail: freethe13@seayouthsayso.com (You may send in opinion pieces to be published)

If you have any other thoughts or suggestions, please leave them below. We will be constantly updating this page with articles that others have published.

“Peace is not something you wish for; It’s something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away.” – Robert Fulghum

Will you give peace a chance? Take action today!

About the Author

seayouthsayso

SEA Youth Say So is a blog that seeks to pool the talent, passion and skills of young people (as well as the “young at heart”) all over the region. We want to learn from each other through collaboration, as well as provide those from outside SEA with a glimpse into this part of the world. In this blog you will find posts on a wide range of topics: from serious social issues affecting our countries to where you might be able to find the best food. We bring you our perspective of things that are going on in SEA, while providing you with local tips on where to visit and what to do.