The Burma Campaign UK today called on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to make securing the release of all Burma’s political prisoners an urgent priority, before democracy leaders die in Burma’s jails.
Many of the pro-democracy 88 Generation Students group, which started the protests that led to the democracy uprising in September 2007, are being kept in appalling prison conditions and being denied access to healthcare.
Min Ko Naing, the leader of 88 Generation Students group is suffering from high blood pressure and neck pain. He was sentenced to 65 years and 6 months imprisonment and sent to Keng Tung prison, which is in Shan State, making family visits very difficult. Even after the long journey to visit they are only allowed to see him for 20 minutes.
No food parcels are allowed to be sent to him, which is essential for all prisoners because prison rations are not enough to stay alive and healthy. He is not allowed to receive letters from friends and family.
Mya Aye, one of the leaders of 88 Generation Students, is suffering from heart disease and has to take medication. Moreover, he is suffering from side effects from the pills, including depression, nausea and stomach pain.
He was sentenced to 65 years and 6 months imprisonment and sent to Loi Kaw prison. Even though he is suffering from heart disease there is no doctor in the prison to check his health.
Ko Ko Gyi, one of the leaders of 88 Generation Students group, is suffering from Hepatitis B and stomach problems. He is in Mongsat prison and sentenced to 65 years and 6 months imprisonment.
Htay Kywe, one of the leaders of 88 Generation Students, is suffering from gastric problems and high blood pressure. He has suffered very bad prison conditions and treatment in Buthidaung prison. There is no electricity in the prison and he is not allowed to have any visitors or any food parcels from his family.
“There is a deliberate policy of mistreating political prisoners and denying them healthcare, and adequate food to stay healthy,” said Wai Hin, Political Prisoners Campaigner at Burma Campaign UK, and daughter of Mya Aye, one of the 88 Generation leaders. “Our leaders will die in jail unless the UN starts treating this situation as an urgent problem. This is a crisis, and should be treated as one. It is not the time for the usual soft and slow diplomacy from the UN, which has totally failed for the past 20 years.”
For more information contact Wai Hnin on 020 7324 4710