Madeleine Moon MP Remembers Burma Human Rights Protestor

Amnesty International

Madeleine joined politicians from all parties to call for the release of all political prisoners in Burma. She posed with the name of "Mie Mie" written on her upturned palm to mark the 12th anniversary of the first major uprising in Burma, which began on 8 August 1988, and to show her support for the imprisoned former student leader. Mie Mie was one of thousands of students who took to the streets of Rangoon to call for democracy and humnan rights in 1988, and in August 2007 she led a women's movement march against the regime.

The 40 year old mother of two is now one of 2,000 political prisoners being held in Burma. This action by politicians came at the end of an Amnesty International and Parliamentary Human Rights Group's reception where the Foreign and Commonwealth Minister Jeremy Brown MP, outlined the coaltion government's vision for promoting human rights in UK foreign policy.

Madeleine said "In these turbulent times, we cannot forget all about human rights; and it was refreshing to hear the Minister make such a firm pledge to tackle the abuses that are happening in Burma. This is a country where torture , unfair trials and forced labour are all commonplace. Against that backdrop I can only applaud the bravery of Mie Mie - I call on the Burmese authorities to immediately release all their political prisoners."