Imprisoned MP Desperately Needs Treatment

28 January 2008
Original news by Htet Yaza, DVB
Translation by Nay Chi U

Dr Zaw Myint Maung, Member of Parliament, Amarapura, Mandalay, who is serving long-term imprisonment, urgently needs an operation but authorities are still refusing permission, it is reported.

A detainee in Myit Kyeenar prison, the MP is suffering badly from haemorrhoids and stomach problems said Dr Yu Yu May, his wife.

"His stomach problems started two years ago. He is having stomach pains all the time so was examined by a specialist. About 6 months ago, a surgeon said the haemorrhoids need operation but until now it has not been arranged."

"Being a medical man himself, he just suffers more because he knows all the consequences if his problems are not treated soon."

U Bo Kyi, joint secretary of AAPP (Assistance Association for Political Prisoners) condemned the junta for depriving the the prisoners of sufficient medical treatments on purpose, which has caused unnecessary deaths previously.

"Someone like Dr Zaw Myint Maung, who has been imprisoned for nearly 20 years, can easily die if he is not getting essential medical treatments or enough nutritious food. His condition is very worrying".

"His career has been wasted in prison, not only as a doctor but also as an elected politician. Our country desperately needs people like him working and serving, instead the junta has stolen this good man from the people".

Dr Zaw Myint Maung was arrested in November 1990 and sentenced to 25 years for treason. In 1997, he was very strangely accused of committing crimes while serving in prison and 12 more years were added to his long-term imprisonment.

70 Year Old MP In Mandalay Prison Needs Eye Treatment

20 January 2008
Original reporty by Maung Too, DVB

U Than Lwin, Member of Parliament, Mattaya, Mandalay, who had been punched with a 'knuckleduster', is developing cataract in the injured eye while being detained in O Bo prison, according to his wife.

"He can't see very well in that eye now and thinks he has a cataract. He is also suffering from a heart condition," said Daw Khin Thi, his wife

U Than Lwin, 70, was walking home after attending a prayer meeting for the release of the political prisoners, when he was attacked by an unknown thug, who punched him in the face with iron knuckles, last June. He suffered a broken nose and an injured eye. In the typical style of the Junta, he was then arrested while he was still receiving hospital treatment, and that was one of the reasons he eye condition was getting worse, explained Daw Khin Thi.

"His eye ached and wept continuously and it was in a serious condition. He was eventually allowed to receive some medication so it has improved although still can't eat properly and is physically very weak."

He was arrested in connection with September protests. Daw Khin Thi pleads for his release, not only because he did not commit any crime but also his deteriorating health, which needs proper medical treatment.

"He is not so young and also committed no crime. He only went to a prayers' meeting after which he was violently attacked then arrested before his wounds were healed. Now he should be released as it is quite clear that he did nothing and he needs urgent medical treatment."

The unknown junta-sponsored thug, who punched U Than Lwin was seen running into the office of local USDA (Union solidarity and Development Association), the government junta's so-called 'social welfare' organization. When a group of civilians demanded his identity and arrest, they were prosecuted for threatening behaviour and sent to prison for up to 7 years. The unknown thug however is, predictably, still at large.

NLD Members Living With Rats In Mandalay Prison

December 26, 2007
Original report by Nan Kum Tayauk, DVB

Members of National League for Democracy (NLD) party, Mandalay, were allowed a family visit for the first time since their arrest 3 months ago but to the shock and horror of the visiting families, the prisoners are living in conditions so bad that they had to share their food with rats, which infested their cells day and night.

U Than Lwin, a leading member of Mandalay NLD party and the Member of Parliament from Mattaya township and his colleague Daw Win Mya Mya, NLD party member have been detained in O Bo prison, Mandalay since the September Golden Colour Revolution.

When being allowed for the first time in 3 months, the visiting family members' happiness, hopes and relief, soon turned into horror and sadness when they witnessed the dreadful conditions in which the prisoners have been living.

During the 20 minutes visiting time, Daw Win Mya Mya's brother saw that his sister, just as in her previous imprisonment, was looking thin and weak. She had to struggle to keep the meeting time as she had bad stomach and needed the toilet much of the time. Her spirit, however, was is as strong as ever which gave U Ba Soe, her brother, much comfort.

Ma Khin Mar Lwin, the daughter of MP U Than Lwin, encountered a different problem when she learned that her father, who had been beaten badly, could not eat. One of his eye sockets was now lower and the eye was weeping continuously. He told his daughter his eye was giving him much pain. When asked for treatment for the damaged eye, the authorities said they would arrange it; this undertaking has so far not been fulfilled.

Six other NLD members, who have been detained in O Bo prison were also allowed a family visit on the same day. Nobody knows why they have been arrested and detained and family members were asking for their immediate release, since they did not commit any crime.

For original report, please click here.

Taunggote's Ko Min Aung Given Family Visit Permission

December 24, 2007
Original Source : DVB's Naw Say Paw

For the first time, since his arrest in September, Ko Min Aung, joint secretary of National League for Democracy Party, Taunggote, will be given permission for a family visit, it is reported.

Ko Min Aung, 35, arrested in early October, then sentenced to 9 1/2 years in prison. However, after the release of the fellow prisoners, who were also arrested with him, Ko Min Aung's sentence has been reduced to 2 1/2 years. During his first 2 months of the detention in Thandwe prison, he was not allowed any family visit, according to his mother.

'They said I can see him fortnightly on Sundays so I am hoping to visit on next Sunday. I am getting very excited as I will soon have a chance to see him. They kindly told me that Sundays are the best because you may then have longer time, about 30 mins or a bit longer. During the week, it is busy so you have shorter time. As soon as I heard the news I just can't wait to see my son. Being a monther, I am just dying to see my son's face, and then I shall be content.

Ko Min Aung and his mum are the lucky ones as he is the first political prisoner from outside Rangoon, who was given the permission for a family visit. So far, only the 8888 generation students in Insein prison have been allowed to see the families.

U Hlaing Aye, member of parliament , Pakoku Townwhip, who is in Myinchan prison,
Daw Win Mya Mya and other NLD members in O Bo prison, Mandalay,
U Myint Oo in Magwe prison and hundreds of other political prisoners who are all detained in prisons across the country are no so lucky. Until now, no family members have seen their love ones, since the arrest, nearly 3 months ago.

For full report, please click here.