Activists in Japan Begin Hunger Strike
Than Swe, a spokesperson for the JAC, told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that five members of Japan-based Burmese organizations began a 72-hour hunger strike yesterday at 6 p.m. in front of the UN office in Tokyo.He described the move as a “first step” in a series of planned protests.“For the second step, five other participants will start another 72-hour hunger strike” after the first strike is finished, said Than Swe. This will be followed by an unlimited hunger strike, he added.The five activists taking part in the first hunger strike were identified as Moe Tint Tint Khine, Aung Tun Lin, Nyi Nyi Nge, Kyaw Min Tun and Tin Aung.“We are awfully worried about Aung San Suu Kyi, who has refused to accept food for three weeks,” said Moe Tint Tint Khine, one of the participants. “We began the hunger strike to get action on Burma from the international community.”Rumors have been circulating since mid-August that Suu Kyi has been refusing food deliveries to her home by members of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).According to NLD sources, Suu Kyi has not received a food delivery since August 15. However, there has been no independent confirmation that she is on a hunger strike. The NLD released a statement on Friday that Suu Kyi’s safety and well-being are the responsibility of the Burmese military authorities who have unlawfully detained her.The Burmese police chief, Khin Yee, on Sunday denied that Suu Kyi was on a hunger strike.
Than Swe, a spokesperson for the JAC, told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that five members of Japan-based Burmese organizations began a 72-hour hunger strike yesterday at 6 p.m. in front of the UN office in Tokyo.He described the move as a “first step” in a series of planned protests.“For the second step, five other participants will start another 72-hour hunger strike” after the first strike is finished, said Than Swe. This will be followed by an unlimited hunger strike, he added.The five activists taking part in the first hunger strike were identified as Moe Tint Tint Khine, Aung Tun Lin, Nyi Nyi Nge, Kyaw Min Tun and Tin Aung.“We are awfully worried about Aung San Suu Kyi, who has refused to accept food for three weeks,” said Moe Tint Tint Khine, one of the participants. “We began the hunger strike to get action on Burma from the international community.”Rumors have been circulating since mid-August that Suu Kyi has been refusing food deliveries to her home by members of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).According to NLD sources, Suu Kyi has not received a food delivery since August 15. However, there has been no independent confirmation that she is on a hunger strike. The NLD released a statement on Friday that Suu Kyi’s safety and well-being are the responsibility of the Burmese military authorities who have unlawfully detained her.The Burmese police chief, Khin Yee, on Sunday denied that Suu Kyi was on a hunger strike.
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