A human rights advocacy organisation has led calls to release three prominent religious tolerance activists. The activists, Zaw Zaw Latt, Pwint Phyu Latt and Zaw Win Bo, are Muslim and Hindu members of Thint Myat Lo Thu Myar – Peace Seekers and Multiculturalist Movement – a foundation created to promote tolerance between Burma’s different religious groups.
Burma Campaign UK called for the release of the three activists after their arrest in July 2015. The three were arrested after calls by Buddhist nationalists for their imprisonment in a social media campaign, branding the work the group does as a betrayal of Buddhism.
The activists were charged with allegedly visiting the Kachin Independence Organisation under Articvle 17 (1) of the Unlawful Association Act, and for allegedly crossing into India illegally.
“Promoting religious freedom is a very important issue for Burma right now and we need more activists like Zaw Zaw Latt, Pwint Phyu Latt and Zaw Win Bo,” Wai Hnin, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK, said in a statement.
“They should be released immediately so they can continue their peaceful activities to bring religious harmony in the country.”
Burma Campaign UK maintains that the arrest of the three activist is political and that they therefore fall under the category of political prisoners.
