"All political prisoners must be released immediately and unconditionally," said Chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity for ASEAN People Dedi Ali Ahmad.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A number of Indonesian NGOs, organized as Indonesian Solidarity for ASEAN Peoples (SIAP), wrote a letter to ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan to help push the Myanmar
government to release all political prisoners.

"All political prisoners must be released immediately and unconditionally," said Chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity for ASEAN People Dedi Ali Ahmad in the letter, which was received by ANTARA News here, Tuesday.

The number of political prisoners in Myanmar is estimated at 700 people.

"Through this open letter, we express solidarity and support for a solution to various human rights problems in Burma or Myanmar," Dedi said.

He asked the ASEAN Secretary General to use his visit as an opportunity to urge Myanmar President Thein Sein to take meaningful steps towards a democratic transition, peace and national reconciliation, as well as to put an end to human rights violations in the country.

The NGOs acknowledged that the Thein Sein administration had made breakthroughs by releasing some 300 political prisoners and by changing the country`s general elections law to allow the National League for Democracy Party, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, to participate in the upcoming elections.

However, the NGOs consider the measures not to be enough and urge all political prisoners be released and conflicts involving Karen, Kachin and Shan ethnics, accused of being rebels, be solved peacefully.

SIAP is a coalition of several prominent Indonesian NGOs, such as Kontral, YLBHI and Imparsial.

Dr Surin Pitsuwan is leading a delegation from the ASEAN Secretariat on a four-day visit to Myanmar starting February 20.

The purpose of the trip is to hold discussions with senior Myanmar officials, to find ways for Myanmar and the ASEAN Secretariat to explore cooperation, to establish internships, and to conduct workshops to help Myanmar prepare for major events.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012