US President Barack Obama is being urged to press for the release of all remaining political prisoners in Burma and to raise issues such as religious freedom and the need to end conflicts with ethnic groups in the country during his visit there.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide is also calling on the US president – who visits the country for six hours on Monday – to raise the issue of constitutional and legislative reforms.
“We welcome President Obama”s visit as a valuable opportunity to deliver some very clear and key messages to the Government of Burma: that the reforms already underway deserve recognition and encouragement, but that there is still a very, very long way to go,” says Mervyn Thomas, CSW’s chief executive.
“Until the conflict in Kachin State and the violence in Rakhine State end; until there is a genuine peace process with ethnic nationalities, involving a political dialogue to find a political solution to decades of civil war; until the citizenship of everyone born in Burma is respected and protected; until all prisoners of conscience are released; and until there is freedom of religion or belief for all people in Burma, we cannot speak of true and lasting change. The situation is fragile, and we urge President Obama to use his visit to promote peace and human rights for all the people of Burma.”
Mr Thomas says the group welcomes letters from members of the US Congress – including US Congressman Trent Franks and 20 other members of the Senate and House – who have written a bi-partisan letter to President Obama urging him to underscore human rights violations in Burma.
“There are two dangers at the moment: premature euphoria, and entrenched cynicism – both of which could undermine the chance of genuine change in Burma,” says Mr Thomas. “President Obama has a unique opportunity to really make a difference for the people of Burma who have suffered so much for so long.”
The push comes amid reports the Burmese Government has released more than 450 prisoners as a ‘goodwill gesture’ ahead of the president’s visit. But there are concerns that no political prisoners were among them.
