Anniversary of the Arrest of Pro-Democracy Activists in Burma

The United States calls for the release of Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, and other pro-democracy activists, arrested one year ago today for organizing peaceful demonstrations to express public concern about increases in the price of fuel. These protests and arrests sparked tens of thousands of Buddhist monks and ordinary Burmese citizens to take to the streets in cities across Burma in peaceful demonstrations expressing their desire for freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights. Although the demonstrators remained peaceful, the regime reacted with brutality, killing many and arresting hundreds more. The United States renews its call for the regime to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, Min Ko Naing, and Ko Ko Gyi, and an end to the regime’s attempts to intimidate and silence those who seek the promotion of democracy and human rights in Burma.