Myanmar student on hunger strike gets supports

The student, a member of All Burma Federation of Student Unions or Ba-Ka-Tha, started the strike on October 23. 

He was arrested alongside many other students and supporters when police brutally cracked down on their protest camp in Lapadan Township, Bago Region. More than 70 individuals were arrested, charged and sent to prison in early 2015 for their roles in protests against the National Education Law. 

"While Human Rights Defenders Forum (HRDF) is concerned for Aung Hmaing San’s health, we stand with him in his call for the release of all political prisoners, who are currently detained for their peaceful activism and for exercising their rights to freedom of opinion and expression, assembly and association. Prison authorities must ensure that Aung Hmaing San has full access to information and healthcare without restriction. HRDF condemns all forms of continuing oppression and persecution against peaceful activists and human rights defenders. HRDF, therefore, calls on the government to immediately and unconditionally release Aung Hmaing San and all other political prisoners and detainees and drop all pending charges against human rights defenders who are facing trials simply for exercising their human rights," the forum said in a statement.

According to Assistance Association for Political Prisoners and Amnesty International, there are nearly 100 political prisoners currently in Myanmar with hundreds more awaiting trial. In the past weeks, there were another series of arrests of human rights defenders for peaceful activities, including Chaw Sandi Tun, Patrick Kum Jaa Lee, Khin Khin Kyaw, Htin Kyaw, Zaw Lu Soe, and numerous others.

The ABFSU earlier united to support Aung Hmaing San's call. Ba-Ka-Tha students and activists wearing shirts reading “Release of all political prisoners” marched to Mandalay moat where a rally was held. They planned similar events in the future. 

Human Rights Defenders Forum Steering Committee is comprised of committed Myanmar and international individuals and organisations working for protection of human rights defenders in Myanmar.

  The statement was endorsed by several rights groups in Myanmar: 

-        Action Committee for Democracy and Development

-        National Youth Congress

-        Yangon Youth Network

-        Equality Myanmar

-        Human Rights Educators Network

-        Pandita Development Institute

-        Green Trust Pyin Oo Lwin

-        Smile Education and Development Foundation

-        Generation Wave

-        Forum for Democracy in Burma

-        Genuine People Servant

-        Women Peace Network-Arakan

-        Civil Rights Defenders