Zargana

Comedian and poet Zargana was released from prison on 11 October 2011 in a mass amnesty arranged by the Burmese government. Zargana was serving a thirty-five year prison sentence for his peaceful opposition activities and criticism of the government.

PEN continues to demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained in Burma in violation of Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, protecting the right to freedom of expression.

Maung Thura, aged 47, best known by his stage name, “Zargana” (also transcribed as ‘Zarganar'), was sentenced to forty-five years imprisonment on 21 November 2008 for violating the Electronics Act, and received an additional fourteen-year prison term on 27 November 2008 for offences under four sections of the criminal code-17/2, 32 (b), 295 (a) and 505 (b), for his peaceful opposition activities, making a total of fifty-nine years. According to the news agency Mizzima.com, on 13 February 2009 the Rangoon Division Court reduced Zargana’s prison term by twenty-four years. He was expected to serve the remaining thirty-five years, and had been imprisoned at the Myitkyina prison, in the Kachin state in northern Burma, before his release.

Zargana was arrested on the evening of 4 June 2008 after leading a private relief effort to deliver aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis which struck on 2 May 2008. He is believed to be sentenced for his outspoken criticism of the government’s slow response to the cyclone, and his opposition activities.

Zargana was awarded Independent Chinese PEN Centre’s inaugural Liu Xiaobo Courage to Write Award in 2010.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Bangkok Post – “Burma frees scores of political prisoners”, 12 Oct 2011
BBC: Andrew Harding “Joking again – Burma’s favourite comedian free”, 15 Oct 2011
PEN International – MYANMAR: Zargana thanks PEN and other organisations for their support, 13 Oct 2011