The deteriorating health of imprisoned Shan leader Hkun Htun Oo has prompted Shans in ten countries to hold prayer ceremonies and candlelight vigils today to call urgently for his release, together with all other political prisoners in Burma.

Shans in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, USA, UK, Australia, Canada and other countries will be holding ceremonies and calling for the immediate release of 64-year-old Hkun Htun Oo, elected leader of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, who was arrested three years ago with other Shan State leaders peacefully advocating for political reform. Currently serving a 93-year sentence in Putao prison in northern Kachin State, his health has seriously deteriorated in the past few months. He has long been suffering from diabetes and now has serious prostate problems.

The health of other Shan State leaders serving sentences of up to 106 years in other prisons around Burma is also a source of serious concern.

One is in urgent need of surgery and another suffering mental illness.

Already one of the detainees, 56-year-old U Myint Than, who had been in perfect health before his imprisonment, died in prison in Arakan State in May 2006 under suspicious circumstances.

Despite Hkun Htun Oo’s ill health, he has announced from prison his firm commitment to bring “peace, justice and equality to the people,” words which the organizers of the vigils want to be highlighted on the occasion of Burma’s upcoming Union Day, February 12.

“A genuine federal union should be built on principles of justice and equality. Yet the regime, by imprisoning elected ethnic leaders and proceeding with its own coercive constitution- drafting process, has shown its complete contempt for these principles,” said Sai Awn Tai, spokesperson of Shan Youth Power in Thailand, which is co-organizing the vigils.

The organizers are urging governments around the world to pressure Burma’s military regime to immediately release Hkun Htun Oo, other Shan State leaders, and all political prisoners in Burma, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and to immediately implement a nationwide ceasefire and begin tripartite dialogue with the National League for Democracy and genuine representatives of the ethnic nationalities.

For further information, contact:

Charm Tong +66 81 603 6655
Ying Zarm +66 81 882 5401
Sai Awn Tai +66 83 8635088

In Chiang Mai, the ceremony will be held at 6 pm on February 10, 2008 at Wat Ku Tao.