Monthly Chronology of Burma’s Political Prisoners in Burma

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

By Assistance Association for Political Prisoners - Burma • June 4, 2010

Summary of current situation

There are a total of 2,171 political prisoners in Burma. This is an overall increase of 14 in comparison
to last month’s figure of 2,157. In June, no activists were arrested and no political prisoners were
released. The AAPP also received information about activists who were arrested and released before
June 2010, and this retroactive information explains why there is actually an overall increase of 14
this month.

Monthly Trend Analysis

During the month of June 2010, no activists were arrested and no political prisoners were released. At least 136 political prisoners are in poor health due to the harsh prison conditions, transfers to remote prisons where there are no doctors, and the denial of proper medical care.

Harsh prison conditions continued to impact on the health and wellbeing of political prisoners, in June. Authorities continue to overlook medical problems and deny much needed medical care to political prisoners.

Phyo Wei Aung has Hepatitis B and authorities have yet to respond to his family’s request for medical assistance. It has also been reported that Shwe Maung is still suffering from a heart condition and back pain from injuries sustained from torture. NLD members Zaw Min Htun and Sandar are both unwell. Zaw Min Htun has stomach problems, and Sandar has liver and heart problems. After a visit with 88 Generation Leader De Nyein Lin, it has been discovered that he is now suffering from kidney stones and needs emergency medical help.. Additionally, 88 Generation members San San Tin, That That Aung and Noe Noe are in poor health.

This month marked the 65th birthday of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. While she spent the day under house arrest, many people around the world celebrated her birthday. At her request, the leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD) started their road-show of states and divisions to reach out to the grass-roots membership.

The Burmese Junta began interrogating political prisoners this month, including, prominent monk leader Ashin Gambira, about their position on the upcoming elections and their intentions for future political activity.

Burma attracted significant international attention this month, due to the cancelation of two international trips to Burma. The cancellation of these trips was considered a set back to international diplomacy. The first was a scheduled European Union visit, canceled after the Burmese ruling junta denied a request from the EU Presidency Council to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The second was US Senator Jim Webb’s planned visit. He decided to cancel the trip due to new allegations about possible nuclear cooperation between Naypyidaw and North Korea. Also of significance at the international level was Slovakia’s statement at the Human Rights Council. Slovakia became the fourth government to support the formation of a United Nations commission of inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity committed in Burma.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Award for Democracy, created in memory of the assassinated former Pakistan Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto. On the first of the month, Amnesty International presented its “Journalism under Threat” award to Burma’s community of independent journalists at a London ceremony, paying tribute to their bravery in tackling dangerous and difficult work.

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