On 21 April 2022, people around the world will be wearing blue shirts or blue clothing to raise awareness for Burma’s political prisoners and in solidarity with those who have been unlawfully imprisoned for supporting human rights and democracy.

21 April 2022 also marks the eighth anniversary of the death of U Win Tin – journalist, democracy activist, founding member of the National League for Democracy, and one of Burma’s most high profile and respected political prisoners. He spent over 19 years in prison. Every year, human rights activists in Burma hold a Blue Shirt Day event, with Burma Campaign UK and other organisations around the world supporting it.

Arrest, torture, and forced disappearances are taking place daily in Burma since the military staged a coup on 1 February last year. Over 13,000 people have been arrested, and more than 9,900 political prisoners are currently in jail. This figure does not include people who have forcibly disappeared in remote ethnic areas or Rohingya civilians who have been arrested unlawfully.

“Political prisoners in Burma face horrific torture, harassment and intimidation, but the international community barely mentions their cases,” said Wai Hnin Pwint Thon, Senior Advocacy Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “These activists bravely stood up against the military coup, but the world seems to have forgotten about them. The international community must speak out for political prisoners in Burma and call for their immediate, unconditional release.”

Please join Blue Shirt Day on Thursday 21st April. Wear blue, post pictures on social media, and tell the world that there is a growing number of political prisoners in Burma and that they must be freed immediately.

Post a picture of yourself on Facebook, Twitter etc, using the hashtag #blueshirt4burma or on Instagram: @blueshirt4burma

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