Monthly Chronology of Burma’s Political Prisoners in Burma –July 2010

By Assistance Association for Political Prisoners - Burma • August 11, 2010

Summary of current situation

There are a total of 2,174 political prisoners in Burma. This is an overall increase of 3 in comparison to last month’s figure of 2,171. In July, 2 political prisoners were arrested, and 4 were released. This retroactive information explains why there is actually an overall increase of 3 this month.

Since the protests in August 2007, leading to September’s Saffron Revolution, a total of 1,169 activists have been arrested and are still in detention.

Monthly Trend Analysis

During the month of July 2010, 2 activists were arrested and 4 were released. At least 138 political prisoners are in poor health due to the harsh prison conditions, transfers to remote prisons where there are no doctors, and denial of proper medical care.
Harsh prison conditions continued to impact on the health and well being of political prisoners. Authorities continue to ignore medical problems and deny much needed medical care to political prisoners. Political prisoners are routinely subjected to torture in Burma’s prisons and interogation centres. This month, two political prisoners were beaten in Putao prison in Shan state by prison authorities and denied of proper medical treatment. Monks, NLD members and students are also targeted by the military regime, and have faced similar problems this month. Phyo Wei Aung has Hepatitis B and authorities have yet to respond to his family’s request for medical assistance; meanwhile, NLD members Zaw Min Htun and Sandar are both unwell. Zaw Min Htun has stomach problems, and Sandar has liver and heart problems. This month, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was given an award as an honourable member in Markirtte city, Philippines, by the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats – CALD.

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