Minister for Home Affairs

Major General Maung Oo
Ministry for Home Affairs,
Office No. 10,
Naypyitaw,
Union of Myanmar

Dear Major General,

Zayar Thaw, a leading member of the youth activist group Generation Wave, is currently serving a six-year prison sentence in Myanmar. He was convicted on 20 November 2008 of “forming an illegal organization” and illegal possession of foreign currency. When he was arrested, he was carrying foreign currency with a total value of less than US$20. His sentence represents the maximum penalty for the two charges.

Zayar Thaw helped to set up Generation Wave as a response to the killings and mass arrests of peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators in August and September 2007. Generation Wave mobilizes students and young people to peacefully protest against the military government through poster campaigns and by distributing leaflets and video recordings.

Following his arrest on 12 March 2008, Zayar Thaw was held at Insein prison in his home town of Yangon. After being convicted, he was moved to Kawthaung prison in the far south of Myanmar, making it difficult for his family to visit him. At least 13 other members of Generation Wave have also been arrested, six of whom are known to be serving prison sentences of between five and eight years.

I call on the authorities to release Zayar Thaw immediately and unconditionally.

Sincerely,

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