Amnesty campaign launches

Amnesty International has renewed its campaign to try to free a comedian jailed for 35 years for criticising the Burmese government.

Zarganar has been held in Myitkyina Prison since November 2008, after he criticised the official response to the Cyclone Nargis disaster that year and, in response, set up his own aid effort.

Amnesty – which has launched a petition at the Edinburg Fringe – says he is in poor health, suffering from heart problems and high blood pressure, but has been denied adequate medical treatment.

Among the comics supporting the cause is Mark Watson, who said: ‘You can’t do comedy with someone looking over your shoulder telling you what you can and can’t say. And you can’t do it if you’re under constant threat of being sent to prison. Freedom of expression is the most important thing in the world to comedians.

‘I’m supporting Amnesty’s campaign to free Zarganar – he shouldn’t be in prison, he should be onstage telling jokes. I hope everyone at the festival gets behind the campaign.”

Josie Long added: ‘What’s really staggering about Zarganar’s story is that the government ultimately locked him up for doing charity work. To get 35 years for trying to help the survivors of a natural disaster, and criticising the authorities for not doing more, is just ridiculous.

‘Zarganar had already been banned from the stage for doing jokes that criticised Burma’s authorities, but it’s this act of kindness that pushed them over the edge. It’s unbelievable. We need to make as much noise about Zarganar as possible to pressure the Burmese government to release him. No one should be in prison just for peacefully expressing their views.’

Amnesty is asking people to go to www.amnesty.org.uk/zarganar to download a letter to send to the Burmese authorities demanding Zarganar’s release.

Campaigners will also be on the streets of Edinburgh taking photos of festival-goers holding up their hand, with the name of Zarganar or another of Burma’s prisoners of conscience written on their palm. The photos will be taken to Brussels for October's Asia-Europe Meeting where they will be used to highlight the cause.

Amnesty International Scotland director John Watson said: ‘Comedians and other artists are at the front line in the fight for free speech, pushing the boundaries of what’s acceptable and holding up a mirror to governments and societies all over the world.

‘The right to freedom of expression is essential to all performers, and it’s a right that Amnesty works hard to protect – that’s why we’re here at the Edinburgh festival. We really hope that comedians and audiences will get right behind this campaign and help free Zarganar.’

Zarganar - whose name means ‘tweezers’ in Burmese - founded his own comedy troupe performing satirical plays and sketches poking fun at the government. He has made numerous films, some of which have been banned in Burma, an in 2006, he was banned from performing following an interview he gave to the BBC criticising the junta.

Amnesty International is holding its annual Stand Up For Freedom benefit at the EICC at 10pm on August 19, featuring Tim Key, John Bishop, Josie Long, Mark Watson, Adam Hills, Dan Antopolski, Danielle Ward and Germany’s Michael Mittermeier.

Published: 9 Aug 2010