The Board also calls on Burma’s partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to abandon their discredited policy of non-interference and bring pressure on Burma’s rulers to adopt international norms of free expression.

The Burmese regime, one of the most repressive in the world, recently stepped up its attacks on freedom of expression. The number of political prisoners in the country has reportedly leapt from 1,200 in 2007 to more than 2,100 today.

These include many journalists and free speech activists, including pro-democracy blogger Nay Phone Latt, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison on 11 November 2008 for criticising military leader Than She; journalist Ein Khaing Oo, sentenced to two years in prison on 14 November for taking photos of survivors of Cyclone Nargis; and comedian Zarganar, who was sentenced to a shocking 45 years in prison for creating “disaffection towards state and government” related to his relief efforts for cyclone victims.

The ruling junta has particularly targeted online news websites, which have become essential tools for independent journalists and writers. Burmese news sites Mizzima and Irrawaddy have been the targets of electronic attacks, and internet surfing within Burma is inhibited by the notorious “Electronic Law”, which controls dissemination of news and is used by the authorities to prosecute anyone who is critical of the regime.

The Board of WAN calls on the Burmese authorities to end their draconian restrictions on freedom of expression and release all jailed journalists. It also calls on Burma’s partners in ASEAN - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - to recognise that Burma’s abuses bring discredit to the region and to raise these concerns with Burma’s rulers.