Chin National Front Appreciates Release of Political Detainees

The Chin National Front, (CNF) welcomes and appreciates recent political developments in Burma, where certain unlawfully held political detainees have been released after CNF holding its fourth central executive committee meeting at its head office on Nov. 19-26.

In its statement, the Chin National Front said, “The party welcomes the release of the pro-democratic political detainees and opined that it will be a positive development for strengthening the unity of the country and a possible faster track to restoration of democracy.” The statement was released on the final day of the fourth central executive meeting after its third general conference.

The Chin National Front further appealed to the State Peace And Development Council (SPDC) regime to release the house-arrested National League for Democracy leaders Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Tin Oo and all other political detainees. The party believes it will further reinforce the continuing process of restoration of democracy in the country.

“The previous amnesty of the fraudulently held detainees includes pro- democracy activists. The SPDC must keep their promise and release more pro-democracy activists in the near future,” stated Pu Thomas Thangnou, chairman of the Chin National Front.

Burmese Radio broadcast that the present military junta officially announced Nov. 18 that the 3,937, on Novmeber 25 pro-democracy activists unlawfully detained by the ex-prime minister Khin Nyunt-led Military Intelligence Agency should be released. However, less then 1,000 activists have been released so far. Ko Min Ko Naing, the student leader who led the 1988 democracy uprising, was released with probably 30 other activists. On November 25, the military junta also announced releasing 5000 prisoners.

Any pro-democracy and political activists of Chin State and the NLD state-level leaders of Matupi Township who were detained during the visit of NLD leader Daw Aung San Su Kyi have not been released so far.

Tue 30 Nov 2004
Aizawl, Khonumthung News Group