A total of 58 organizations have called on the international community to take effective pressure measures to secure the release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

The call was made on April 21, marking the 12th anniversary of the passing of veteran journalist and former political prisoner U Win Tin, a senior figure of the National League for Democracy. The date is also remembered for campaigns in which supporters wore blue shirts to demand the release of political detainees.

According to the statement, since the military takeover on February 1, 2021, authorities have arbitrarily detained politicians, activists, journalists, Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) participants, and civil society members. Human rights violations inside prisons have also been ongoing.

Data released by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners on April 20 indicates that at least 7,216 male political prisoners, 6,394 female prisoners, and 637 children remain in detention.

Additionally, records from the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar show that between 2021 and April 2026, a total of 279 political prisoners have died in custody, largely due to inadequate healthcare, torture, and denial of emergency medical treatment.

Thike Tun Oo, a representative from PPNM told New Day Myanmar that recent prisoner releases under the label of amnesty appear to be attempts to mislead both the international community and the public, particularly amid efforts to legitimize a military-backed political process.

The organizations also highlighted the ongoing 12-day “Blue Shirt Campaign,” held from April 10 to April 21, advocating for the release of political prisoners.

They urged international actors—including the United Nations, the European Union, ASEAN, and the United States—to intensify pressure by refusing to recognize the military-backed administration, restricting aviation fuel supplies to halt airstrikes, and ensuring accountability for human rights violations and war crimes.