Amnesty International USA" -Ma Khin Khin Leh Freed

Burmese political prisoner released thanks to you!

Dear Phone ,

We are happy to share the news that Ma Khin Khin Leh was released from prison on Saturday, February 21. Her release follows an announcement by the Myanmar government that it would release 24 political prisoners. We celebrate their release, but remember that many more political prisoners remain jailed in Myanmar.

Ma Khin Khin Leh's case was a focus of our Global Write-a-thon last December. Over 7,000 of you wrote letters to the Burmese government on her behalf. Your letters truly make a difference for the lives of individuals around the world.

A school teacher and young mother, Ma Khin Khin Leh, was serving a life sentence simply because she and her husband tried to organize a peaceful demonstration. Days before the demonstration was to take place, authorities moved to prevent it. Security agents arrested Ma Khin Khin Leh and the couple's three-year-old daughter. Although her daughter was released after spending five days in detention, Ma Khin Khin Leh was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1999 under vaguely-worded security legislation.

We thank all those who campaigned for Ma Khin Khin Leh's release, and remind you that we continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all other prisoners of conscience in Myanmar.