Sittwe: The National League for Democracy in Arakan State reports they have been collecting signatures from people in seven townships of Arakan State, and have received 5,000, for an appeal letter to be sent to the new president calling for the release of political prisoners.
The signature collection is a nationwide campaign being conducted by the NLD and social networking groups to free political prisoners.
U Thein Hlaing, joint-secretary of Arakan State's NLD, said the party has gathered 5,000 signatures in seven townships of Arakan State in the past week.
"We are collecting signatures from seven townships - Rathidaung, Sittwe, Taungup, Thandwe, Man Aung, Kyaukpru, and Gwa. We could have gotten more signatures in that time if there were not gaps in communication among the people. More people are expected to sign the appeal letter in the near future," he said.
Over 20,000 people in Arakan State are expected to sign the letter by the time the campaign is over.
"We will send the signatures collected so far to NLD headquarters to be added to the appeal letter that will be sent to the new president, Thein Sein, urging the release of all political prisoners," he said.
In the letter, the activists call on the president to grant amnesty to all political prisoners, negotiate cease-fires with the armed ethnic groups and hold political dialogue with the armed ethnic groups, and welcome back exiled activists and refugees.
"If the new government wants to establish the country as a democracy, the government must release all dissidents who are now in prison. We hope the new government led by President U Thein Sein will release all political prisoners unconditionally," U Thein Hlaing said.
The NLD in Arakan State will extend its work in other townships across Arakan State to organize people to support the campaign to free political prisoners.
