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Myanmar: take action for imprisoned poet Maung Saung Kha

Join PEN in calling for Maung Saung Kha’s release ahead of his next hearing on 18 May 2016

English PEN and fellow PEN centres around the world are calling on the the Myanmar authorities to drop all charges against poet and PEN Myanmar member, Maung Saung Kha.

Maung Saung Kha was arrested on 5 November 2015 on charges of criminal insult (under Article 505 of the Penal Code and Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law) in connection with a verse he posted on social media suggesting that he had a tattoo of the president on his penis.

Maung Saung Kha has now spent six months in detention and his next hearing is due to take place on Wednesday 18 May 2016.

PEN calls on the Myanmar authorities to drop the charges against Maung Saung Kha and release him immediately and unconditionally: please join us.

For further background information, please visit the PEN International website.

Take Action

  • Share details of Maung Saung Kha’s case on social media. #MaungSaungKha
  • Send letters of appeal to the authorities in Myanmar (further details and addresses below)
  • Sign the petition for Maung Saung Kha’s release, hosted by the Burma Campaign UK.
  • Maung Saung Kha was among the international writers to be featured at the inaugural English PEN Modern Literature Festival paired with the poet Harry Man. Watch Harry’s performance here.Please inform us of any action you take and of any responses you receive via the comments box below.

Send appeals

  • Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of poet Maung Saung Kha;
  • Requesting the release of all other prisoners of conscience in Myanmar, and urging the authorities to drop charges against any person arrested solely for the peaceful exercise of his or her right to freedom of expression;
  • Calling for all laws which impose unlawful restrictions on the right to freedom of expression to be repealed or amended in line with international human rights standards;
  • Urging the immediate ratification of international human rights treaties which Myanmar is not yet a party to, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Appeals to:

President
U Htin Kyaw
President’s Office
Nay Pyi Taw
Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Via Facebook
Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Home Affairs
Deputy General Kyaw Swe
Nay Pyi Taw
Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Salutation: Dear Minister

And copies to:

State Counsellor
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Nay Pyi Daw,
Republic of the Union of Myanmar

His Excellency Mr U Kyaw Zwar Minn

Embassy of the Union of Myanmar in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
19A Charles St
London
W1J 5DX
United Kingdom
Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]