Cathy Jamieson | Mie Mie Release

Mie Mie Release

Mie Mie Cathy was pleased to hear of the recent release of the Burmese dissident Mie Mie under the second round of prisoner releases in Burma this year.

Cathy had previously campaigned for Mie Mie’s release after the 40-year-old mother of two was imprisoned in 2007 for leading a women’s movement march against the ruling regime.

The prisoner amnesty is the fourth under Burma’s post-elections government, bringing the total number of political prisoners released to at least 477. But more than a thousand political prisoners remain behind bars and Cathy, along with human rights organisations including Amnesty International, has vowed to continue the fight until all are freed.

Cathy said:

“The release of Mie Mie, together with 130 other political prisoners, is a significant move. I welcome the decision of the authorities to take this step and urge them to continue on their historic path to greater openness and full human rights for all.”

Benjamin Zawacki, Amnesty International's Myanmar Researcher, said:

“This release of political prisoners is a major step forward, but the gates must be opened even wider to all remaining prisoners of conscience.

“The ‘quality’ of this release thus far is high, but ultimately it is the quantity that counts. While we welcome the release of such prominent peaceful activists, we urge the authorities to release all remaining prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally.