• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
During the month of May 2009, at least
6
activists were arrested,
 1
sentenced and
7 
were transferred todifferent prisons.
 1
was released.The news this month has been dominated by thearrest and trial of Nobel Peace Prize winner andNational League for Democracy leader Daw AungSan Suu Kyi, her two live-in party members Daw  Win Ma Ma and Daw Khin Khin Win, and USnational John William Yettaw.
P.O Box 93, Mae Sot, Tak Province 63110, Thailande.mail:info@aappb.orgwebsite:www.aappb.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary of current situation
There are a total of 
2,155
political prisoners in Burma.
1
These include:
CATEGORY NUMBER 
Monks220Members of Parliament15Students283
2
 Women190NLD members469Members of the Human Rights Defenders and Promotersnetwork 43Ethnic nationalities 195Cyclone Nargis volunteers 21Teachers26Media activists 50Lawyers 11In poor health130Since the protests in August 2007 leading to last September’s Saffron Revolution, a total of 1,082activists have been arrested and are still in detention.
Monthly trend analysis
1
Around 30 political prisoners were released in December. Some had come to the end of their prison term and others werereleased without charge.
2
This figure includes 46 88 Generation Students group members.
Please Note: All information contained in this report is correct to the best of AAPP’s knowledge at thetime of going to press. The situation inside Burma is changing very rapidly, and this should beconsidered a ‘live’ document. If you reproduce this report or sections of it, please retain all original linksand attribute it to AAPP.1
 
Arrested, Sentenced & Released
050100150200250Sep-08Oct-08Nov-08Dec-08Jan-09Feb-09Mar-09Apr-09May-09ArrestedSentencedReleased
 
They are facing charges that they broke the terms of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest, after John Yettaw broke into her home on 3 May. The trial began on 18 May and is due to resume on 5 June. AAPP-B released two reports this month. The first - released to mark the anniversary of Cyclone Nargis- highlighted the cases of over 20 Cyclone Nargis volunteers, facing up to 35 years in prison for theirefforts to help after the disaster. The second, entitled "Burma's prisons and labour camps: Silent killingfields", outlines the health impact of systematic torture, long-term imprisonment, transfers to remoteprisons, and denial of healthcare on the country’s pro-democracy activists.
The Trial Of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, her two live in party members Daw Win Ma Ma and Daw Khin Khin Khin Win,and US citizen John Yettaw are currently on trial facing charges under Article 22 of the 1975 StateProtection Act for
 
allegedly breaking the rules of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest. On the 3 May 2009 American citizen John Yettaw entered her home and stayed there for two days. Burmeseauthorities arrested him as he was returning from the house. He also faces additional charges. Daw  Aung San Suu Kyi and her companions were removed from her house on 14 May and have since beendetained in a 'guesthouse' facility within Insein prison compound. The trial began on the 18
 
May and has been adjourned until 5 June. The trial has sparked international outcry, including unprecedentedcriticism from ASEAN. Many statements have been issued by world leaders and international bodies, but as yet no action has been taken against the military regime.
Treatment of prisoners and their families
This month, AAPP-B released a report highlighting the growing health crisis for political prisoners inBurma. The report – entitled “Burma’s prisons and labour camps: Silent killing fields” – outlines thehealth impact of systematic torture, long-term imprisonment, transfers to remote prisons, and denial of healthcare on the country’s pro-democracy activists. Over 350 activists have been sentenced sinceOctober last year, and the majority of them have been transferred to remote jails away from theirfamilies. Due to the lack of proper healthcare in Burma’s jails, political prisoners rely on their familiesfor medicine and food. However, the prison transfers make it difficult for family members to visit, andprovide essential medicine. At the time the report was published, 127 political prisoners were in poorhealth and 19 of them required urgent medical treatment. (11 May 2009 AAPP)
Prisoners Released
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's family doctor
Dr. Tin Myo Win
was arrested on 7 May but released againnine days later on 16 May. He was apparently arrested in connection with US citizen John Yettaw'sintrusion into Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's compound on 3 May.
88 Generation Students
46 members of the 88 Generation Students group are currently imprisoned. The AAPP report entitled"Burma's prisons and labour camps: silent killing fields" documents the deteriorating health of severalmembers of the 88 Generation Students group, including leading members Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi,Htay Kywe, and Hla Myo Naung.
Please Note: All information contained in this report is correct to the best of AAPP’s knowledge at thetime of going to press. The situation inside Burma is changing very rapidly, and this should beconsidered a ‘live’ document. If you reproduce this report or sections of it, please retain all original linksand attribute it to AAPP.2
 
19 May 2009
 
South Korea: 2009 Gwangju Human Rights Award to Burmese activist
 Born in the Burmese capital of Yangon in 1962,
Min Ko Naing
organized the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), a nationwide student union, in 1988. Later, he was sentenced to 20 years’imprisonment for triggering the “8888 Uprising”. After being imprisoned for 15 years, he was releasedfrom prison and continued his pro-democracy resistance. Finally he was re-arrested and sentenced to65 years imprisonment for organizing a demonstration which gave rise to the Saffron Uprising. He iscurrently serving this sentence. The 2009 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee has thereforechosen Min Ko Naing to be this year’s prizewinner. Min Ko Naing and his colleagues have devotedthemselves to Burma’s democratization, and it is their devotion that we hope to remember and share as we commemorate the May 18 Gwangju Uprising. (19 May 2009 MyNews)
6 May 200988 Generation Student leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi are in poor healthMin Ko Naing
, one of the 88 Generation Student leaders sentenced to 65 years and 6 months inprison, has been suffering from hypertension, spondilytis and an eye problem while in solitary confinement. 88 Generation leader
Ko Ko Gyi
who is in Monghsat prison, Shan State is suffering fromHepatitis B and his health condition is deteriorating. (6 May 2009 RFA 
)
4 May 2009Min Ko Naing’ family is worried for his health
88 Generation Student leader
Min Ko Naing
, who is in Kengtung prison, was treated by an eyespecialist in March and April. His eyesight has improved but he is suffering from high blood pressure.He has now been advised by a doctor to take medicine every day for hypertension.
 
(4 May 2009 DVB
)
National League for Democracy members
469
 
National League for Democracy (NLD) members are currently in prison. The AAPP report entitled"Burma's prisons and labour camps: silent killing fields" documents the deteriorating health of severalmembers of the NLD, including Su Su Nway, Daw Win Mya Mya, U Than Lwin and Khun Tun Oo. 5NLD members were transferred to prisons away from Rangoon this month.
18 May 2009NLD Youth member arrested
NLD Youth member
Htwe Thein
was arrested at around 10.30 am outside Insein Prison. He had beendistributing black ribbons to NLD members and supporters of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the first day of her trial. He was later released, but has since been re-arrested and is currently held in Insein Prison. (31 May 2009 AAPP)
Please Note: All information contained in this report is correct to the best of AAPP’s knowledge at thetime of going to press. The situation inside Burma is changing very rapidly, and this should beconsidered a ‘live’ document. If you reproduce this report or sections of it, please retain all original linksand attribute it to AAPP.3
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...