Campaign for Democracy in Burma ( Finland )

Rosokuja 2 B 12, 70150 Kuopio , Finland , Tel: + 358 404116067Email: campaign.committee@cdbfinland.org, Website: www.cdbfinland.org

Mr. Matti Vanhanen

Prime MinisterThe Government of the Republic of Finland

Snellmaninkatu 1 A, HelsinkiPO BOX 23FI-00023 Government, Finland

Date: 23 August 2007

Dear Mr. Prime MinisterAs overall political and economic situations in Burma unfold from bad to worse, we, Campaign for Democracy in Burma (Finland), request you to take immediate and appropriate actions to help resolve the crises and ensure the immediate release of the political activists – including prominent democracy campaigner Min Ko Naing, Min Zeya, Ko Ko Gyi, Pyone Cho, Arnt Bwe Kyaw, Mya Aye, Jimmy of 88 Generation Students group – who were arrested by the ruling military junta of our country for staging peaceful marches in capital Rangoon on 19 and 22 August 2007 consecutively against a sudden doubling rise in fuel prices. The activists now in detentions had suffered long-term imprisonment and torture in notorious Burmese jails, but they continue to strive for national reconciliation, civil rights and democratization in Burma. The price rise added a terrible woe to the already-battered economy causing severe hardships to the people and bringing a near halt to small-to-medium side privately owned businesses. It leads to widespread anger among the public who live in poverty and untold misery under the military rule. Last Sunday the 88 Generation Students group led a peaceful march in protest against the sudden hike in fuel prices encouraging people to exercise their rights within the existing law and orders imposed by the ruling SPDC military junta. 13 key leaders of this group were taken away from their homes to secret military detentions by the military authorities late on Tuesday night.On Wednesday spontaneous peaceful marches were staged throughout Rangoon despite the tight security of the military junta. The marches faced violent crackdown by the police and the junta-backed gangs, leaving many dozens of the peaceful marchers arrested or injured.We also believe that you are well aware of these deteriorating situations and lawless environments created by the military junta to suppress the people from exercising their birth rights to freedom of expression. As one of the leading democracies in the world and a helping hand for Burmese people, it is right time for Finland to show more sympathy, solidarity and give more support when the people are in urgent need of international help in their struggle against the brutal devil regime.We earnestly urge you to use your good office to encourage other European Union member countries to make effective use of the EU common policy on Burma to prevent the SPDC junta from committing further violent suppression.

Campaign CommitteeCDB-Finland

Contact:

Thant Zin Htun ( Coordinator) email: thantzinhtun@cdbfinland.org tel: +358505721630

Thar Swe (Vice Coordinator) email: tharchitswe@yahoo.com tel: +358442621081