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Urgent campaigns / Urgent Interventions / Myanmar (ex-Burma) / 2010 / December

Myanmar (ex-Burma): OMCT is seriously concerned about the poor health condition of Mr. Min Ko Naing, a democracy activist and leader of the 88 Generation Students Group, as a result of harsh conditions of detention

Case MMR 211210
Health concern/ Fear for the safety
 
The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Myanmar/ Burma.
 
Brief description of the situation
 
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a reliable source and Antenna International, a member organisation of OMCT SOS-Torture Network, about the poor health condition of Mr. Min Ko Naing[1], a democracy activist and leader of the 88 Generation Students Group[2], as a result of harsh conditions of detention in Kengtung prison, where he is serving a 65-year prison sentence.  
 
According to the information received, Mr. Min Ko Naing is suffering from osteoporosis, a disease weakening the bones that is exacerbated by poor diet, lack of exercise (he is allegedly only allowed one hour a day for walking) and lack of proper medical care. Furthermore, Kengtung prison, which is located in Shan State reportedly one of the coldest places in the country, is cold and damp. OMCT recalls that Mr. Min Ko Naing has previously suffered from a serious eye infection and hypertension while in prison[3].
 
OMCT has also been informed that Mr. Min Ko Naing is only allowed to meet with family members one time every three months.
 
Mr. Min Ko Naing was arrested on 21 August 2007 along with other members of the 88 Generation Students Group by members of the Police Special Branch subsequent to peaceful protests against fuel hikes[4]. On 11 November 2008, he was sentenced to 65 years in prison by a special court held inside Ma-Ubin prison following an unfair trial and later transferred to Kengtung prison, 700 miles North of Rangoon.
 
OMCT is also gravely concerned about the health condition of Ms. Tate Naing, aka Nilar Thein, another member of the 88 Generation Student group sentenced to 65 years imprisonment and who is reportedly suffering from peptic ulcer. Ms. Tate Naing is being detained in Thayet prison in Magwe Division.
 
The International Secretariat of OMCT expresses its deepest concern about Mr. Min Ko Naing’s and Ms. Tate Naing’s, aka Nilar Thein, health conditions, and urges the competent authorities to grant them immediate access to independent medical doctors and to guarantee that they receive adequate medical care as provided for by international human rights standards, including the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

Action requested
 
Please write to the authorities in Myanmar/ Burma urging them to:
 
i.                     Guarantee, in all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Min Ko Naing and Ms. Tate Naing, aka Nilar Thein;
ii.                   Guarantee unconditional and regular access to their respective lawyers and families, as well as guarantee that they are promptly examined by independent medical doctors and receive adequate medical care in accordance with, inter alia, the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners;
iii.                  Release Mr. Min Ko Naing and Ms. Tate Naing, aka Nilar Thein, immediately and unconditionally;
iv.                 Ensure the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
 
Addresses
  • Minister for Home Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, No. 10 Naypyidaw, Myanmar; Tel: +95 67 412 040/ 069/ 072; Fax: +95 67 412 016/ 439; E-mail: ddg.gad@gad.gov.mm
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nyan Win, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bldg. (19), Naypyitaw, Myanmar
  • Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General, 101 Pansodan Street, Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar, Fax: + 95 1 371 028/ 282 449 / 282 990
  • Permanent Mission of Myanmar to the United Nations in Geneva, 47 avenue Blanc, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland, Tel: + 41 22 906 98 70; Fax: + 41 22 732 89 19; Email: mission.myanmar@ties.itu.int
Please also write to the diplomatic representations of Burma/Myanmar in your respective country.
 
***
Geneva, 21 December 2010.
 
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
 
 


[1] See OMCT urgent appeal MMR 191108 and Press Release “No proper medical care for jailed leading democracy activist” issued on 22 April 2008.
[2] All members of the 88 Generation Students Group are former student leaders who organised in 1988 a major popular uprising in Burma, which the military regime responded to by killing up to 10,000 students and activists throughout the country. They spent over 15 years in prison after suffering severe torture and were released in 2004.
[3] See abovementioned OMCT urgent appeal and press release.
[4] The arrests followed a peaceful march that took place on 19 August 2007 in order to protest against the decision, on 15 August 2007, by the regime to double the price of diesel and petrol and quintupled the prices of compressed natural gas for cooking and buses. See joint OMCT- FIDH press release issued on 22 August 2007.

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Date: December 21, 2010
Activity: Urgent campaigns
Type: Urgent Interventions
Country: Myanmar (ex-Burma)
Subjects: Arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances, Torture and violence

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