Former leaders of Britain's three main political parties have added their support to Christian Solidarity Worldwide's (CSW) petition calling on the UN Secretary-General to make the release of Burma's 2,100 political prisoners his personal priority.

The Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague MP, who was leader of the Conservative Party from 1997-2001, has signed CSW's ChangeforBurma! petition. Mr Hague said: "In the wake of the shocking prison sentences imposed on activists in Burma, and the regime's continuing crimes against humanity, it is vital that we do everything in our power to summon up the will of the international community to influence the junta in Burma and seek the release of all political prisoners."

Neil Kinnock, Labour Party leader from 1983-92 and David Steel, Liberal Party leader from 1976-88, both now in the House of Lords, also added their support. Lord Kinnock said: "Burma's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and all political prisoners in jail today, are detained simply for speaking about freedom. These courageous people deserve our support. We must use our liberty to promote theirs."

The Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell MP, is another signatory to the petition. Mr Mitchell became the first elected British politician in many years to visit Rangoon in 2007, where he met former political prisoners. He also visited internally displaced peoples inside Karen State, with CSW.

CSW's campaign is part of an international coalition led by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners and the Forum for Democracy in Burma. The petition has drawn over 250,000 signatories so far, with support from prominent figures such as Nobel Laureate Jody Williams, a campaigner for an international landmine treaty. Jody Williams said: "Many of us struggling for peace around the world can use our freedom to express our views. But the people of Burma risk prison to do this. We need to stand shoulder to shoulder with those democracy activists who have been locked up in the dark. We must show them they have not been forgotten."

CSW's East Asia Team Leader Benedict Rogers said: "We are delighted to have the support of such major political figures for this campaign. It shows just how seriously the issue is taken, and it should send a message to the regime in Burma that their gross abuse of prisoners of conscience has not gone unnoticed by the world. We will not stay silent, and will continue to campaign until all political prisoners in Burma, including democracy leader and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, are free."

Note to Editors:

• CSW launched a joint campaign with Partners Relief and Development last year, to highlight human rights violations in Burma. The ChangeforBurma! campaign includes calls for a case to be brought to the International Criminal Court.
  
• To view the ChangeforBurma! petition, please visit www.changeforburma.org