"Growing up in Burma, human rights violations are a part of daily life...I know the sacrifice you pay for the pursuit of democracy in Burma. You pay with your freedom and sometimes your life." - Aung Khaing Min Imagine living in a country that has been under brutal military rule since the 1960s. Where criticising your government is grounds for arrest, torture and decades-long prison sentences handed down without judge or jury.

For Burmese political activist and former Prisoner of Conscience Aung Khaing Min, living under constant threat and harassment, and facing social exclusion and discrimination was all part of his daily life. Since the age of 14, Aung Khaing Min has been dedicated to the fight for human rights in Myanmar (Burma). But he has paid a heavy price for his activism - he has been unfairly imprisoned and tortured, lost the right to live in his home country, and forced to leave behind friends and family members still languishing in prison.

Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand is hosting Aung Khaing Min on a four-centre speaking tour, 10-20 October. His visit presents a unique opportunity for New Zealanders to hear a first-hand account of the personal struggles the people of Myanmar face. Aung Khaing Min will also be meeting with members of the New Zealand Government and asking them what they are doing for the people of Myanmar.

WHAT: New Zealand tour of Burmese political activist and former Prisoner of Conscience, Aung Khaing Min.

WHEN & WHERE: Auckland: Sunday 10 - Monday 11 October & Tuesday 19 - Wednesday 20 October Wellington: Tuesday 12 - Thursday 14 October Christchurch: Friday 15 - Saturday 16 October Dunedin: Sunday 17 - Monday 18 October Amnesty International is hosting public meetings in each centre, see our website for details: www.amnesty.org.nz/get-involved/events

To arrange an interview outside of these meetings, please contact Media Co-ordinator Pui-Yi Cheng on 09 303 4526 or 021 026 74857.

Amnesty is also hosting a number of other events in October which media are welcome to attend, including a screening of the Academy Award-nominated Burma VJ - a film about Myanmar's video-journalists who put their lives and freedom at risk when they filmed Buddhist monks and nuns leading the 2007 Saffron Revolution. See here for more.

More about Amnesty International's Myanmar 'Freedom' Campaign: As Myanmar (Burma) gets ready for its first election in over 20 years, Amnesty International is campaigning for an end to the widespread human rights violations taking place there. We are calling on the international community, including the Government of New Zealand, to pressure Myanmar's authorities to protect the three freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and to release all Prisoners of Conscience.