Assistance
Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) reported that there are now
2,155 political prisoners in Burma. Below is its monthly summary of
current situation, issued on 8 June 2009.
Assistance
Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) reported that there are now
2,155 political prisoners in Burma. Below is its monthly summary of
current situation, issued on 8 June 2009. For the summaries of the past, please click here (AAPP website).

There are a total of 2,155 political
prisoners in Burma. These include:

Since
the protests in August 2007 leading to last September's Saffron
Revolution, a total of 1,082 activists have been arrested and are still
in detention.

Monthly trend analysis

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 their efforts to help
after the disaster. The second, entitled "Burma's prisons and labour
camps: Silent killing fields", outlines the health impact of systematic
torture, long-term imprisonment, transfers to remote prisons, 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 State Protection Act
forallegedly 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. Burmese authorities 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 been detained 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
unprecedented criticism 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 in Burma. The report – entitled "Burma's
prisons and labour camps: Silent killing fields" – outlines the health
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 since October last
year, and the majority of them have been transferred to remote jails
away from their families. Due to the lack of proper healthcare in
Burma's jails, political prisoners rely on their families for medicine
and food. However, the prison transfers make it difficult for family
members to visit, and provide essential medicine. At the time the
report was published, 127 political prisoners were in poor health 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 again nine days later on 16 May. He was apparently
arrested in connection with US citizen John Yettaw's intrusion 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 several members
of the 88 Generation Students group, including leading members Min Ko
Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Htay Kywe, and Hla Myo Naung.

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 released from prison and continued his pro-democracy resistance.
Finally he was re-arrested and sentenced to 65 years imprisonment for
organizing a demonstration which gave rise to the Saffron Uprising. He
is currently serving this sentence. The 2009 Gwangju Prize for Human
Rights Committee has therefore chosen Min Ko Naing to be this year's
prizewinner. Min Ko Naing and his colleagues have devoted themselves 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 2009

88 Generation Student leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi are in poor health
Min
Ko Naing, one of the 88 Generation Student leaders sentenced to 65
years and 6 months in prison, 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 from Hepatitis Band his health condition is deteriorating. (6
May 2009 RFA)

4 May 2009

Min Ko Naing' family is worried for his health
88
Generation Student leader Min Ko Naing, who is in Kengtung prison, was
treated by an eye specialist 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)