Into the Current: Burmas Political Prisoners

http://www.intothecurrent.org/

Into the Current is a film by director Jeanne Hallacy and produced by Ko Bo Kyi, joint-secretary of AAPP-B. Into the Current sheds valuable light on the plight of political prisoners in Burma. The film will be screened internationally in efforts to raise awareness on the continued repression in Burma, and to show audience members how they can do their part in the struggle for releasing all political prisoners in Burma (see What You Can Do below). Throughout March and the beginning of April the film will be screened at various locations in the US and Bo Kyi will speak and participate in question and answer sessions. For dates see below. Events for Europe will also take place and when these are confirmed, details will be posted.
combines sophisticated production values with a political message that is not watered down for Western audiences Irrawaddy (full review) Contributing to the considerable power of the film is a quiet, understated commentary, a musical score that exactly matches each change of mood and authoritative appearances by a man charged with the responsibility of making sure Burmas political prisoners are not forgottenBo Kyi Mizzima (full review) ..There has been a growing international misconception that Myanmar (Burma) has turned a corner on human rights and political participation. With power and authority, Into the Current sets the record straight Amnesty International, United Kingdom draws attention to the plight of the countrys activists as the government releases hundreds of prisoners in an amnesty program Voice of America(full review)

The film follows the stories and sacrifices of former political prisoner Bo Kyi and an underground the record behalf of team who work tirelessly and often at great risk on straight. their jailed colleagues. It illuminates the profoundly inspiring political vision of many recently released prisoners, at a time when Burma is just beginning historical change towards democratic reform. And it shows why the prisoners' moral courage and leadership will be vital during the fragile period ahead in a Burma on the cusp of change. 'Into the Current' deepens our understanding of the long Burmese quest to replace dictatorship with a modern democracy that respects human rights and ensures lasting peace in ethnic areas impacted by war and gross human rights abuses. The film poses key questions about the legal and

institutional reforms needed to end political repression and torture. It looks at how key leader Aung San Suu Kyi can contribute to lasting change with her candidacy in upcoming elections -- and it shows just why it is so vital now that the polls are free and fair. Situation of Political Prisoners Now: denial of civil and political rights continues The release of 300 political prisoners on 13 January, the most substantial and significant release of political prisoners to date in Asia, will be remembered as a watershed moment in Burmas history. Prominent political prisoners serving over 65 year sentences, including Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Htay Kywe, U Khun Htun Oo, walked to freedom on that day. The wave of jubilation extended around the world as international communities warmly welcomed the release and cited the event as a genuine marker of democracy finally coming to Burma. There remains, however, much more to be done. Given the absolute lack of prison transparency in Burma, and the fact that the Thein Sein regime continues to deny the existence of political prisoners in Burma, it is enormously difficult to ascertain the real number of individuals behind bars for their human rights and political activities. One of AAPPs main responsibilities is to document the number of political prisoners behind bars in Burma and the conditions they are held in. This information is vital to securing the release of every political prisoner in Burma. Since September, AAPP has been verifying the political prisoner database to ensure its list is as up to date and accurate as possible. As of 2 March, AAPP can confirm there are at least 843 political prisoners in Burma, and we have verified the prison location and the arrest details of 419 political prisoners. The number however, is believed to be much higher, as AAPP has limited access to remote ethnic areas where there have been disturbing trends of villagers being arrested en masse. Indeed, already 2 have been re-arrested. Nay Myo Zin, NLD charity worker, was arrested the day after his release on spurious charges of having a key chain and t-shirt in prison with Aung Sans image. U Gambira, prominent monk, was detained at 2a.m. on unknown charges, though it is believed his arrest was related to his affiliation with a monastery that houses activist monks and has been sealed off by authorities multiple times since January. These are just a few examples of what life is like for activists and dissidents in a democratizing Burma. The hundreds of political prisoners still in jail must not be forgotten while the West rapidly engages Burma and rewards the regime for so-called democratic progress. And those who have been released urgently need support so they can resume their lives with dignity. What You Can Do: Free Burmas Political Prisoners Now! There are many ways you can get involved and make a concrete, practical impact on the lives of political prisoners.

1. Write a letter to your political representative, urging them to adopt a resolution to free all political prisoners in Burma without delay. Click here for draft wording. Note, this is for US Congress, an EU version will be uploaded soon. 2. Help a former political prisoner become economically self-sustainable and regain their livelihood by making a small donation. More information to be uploaded soon. 3. Do an alternative tour of Burma with a former political prisoner as your guide. More information to be uploaded soon. 4. Host a film screening of Into the Current at your university, organization, film group, etc. Get in contact with us and we will help locate a speaker at your event if there is one nearby and available. 5. Download out campaign toolkit to be uploaded soon. Upcoming Film Screenings: MARCH 2012 SAN FRANCISCO 10 March - Bay Area Premiere - Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 6 pm 12 March - Stanford University (Bechtel Conference Center at Encina Hall), 4 - 6 pm 13 March - City College of San Francisco, 11.10 am - 12.30 pm 13 March - Santa Clara University (Bannan Hall, rm. 127), 4 - 6 pm 14 March - Sonoma State University , 12 noon - 2 pm 14 March - UC Berkeley, 6 - 8 pm 15 March - San Francisco Film Commission - Amnesty International Film Screening, San Francisco Film Collective, 6 - 9 pm SEATTLE 16 March - Meaningful Movies, Keystone Congregational United Church of Christ, 6.30 - 9.30 pm 17 March - Bay Elliott Book Center, 1.30 - 3.30 pm 17 March - World Affairs Council - venue TBC, 4 - 6.30 pm SAN FRANCISCO 18 March - Bissap Baobop, 6 pm - 10 pm 19 March - University of San Francisco, 3 - 5 pm SALT LAKE CITY 20 March - Utah Film Center, 7 pm.

RICHMOND 22 March - Cinema Connect, 7 - 9.30 pm WASHINGTON D.C. 26 March - George Washington University, 12.30 - 2 pm 27 March - George Mason University, 4.30 - 6.30 pm NEW YORK 30 March - New York University School of Law, time TBC April 3 April - Southwest Illinois University, time TBC

MORE DATES TBC