Monthly Chronology of Burma's Political Prisoners for September, 2010 P.O Box 93, Mae Sot, Tak Province 63110, Thailand e.mail: [email protected] website: www.aappb.org P.O Box 93, Mae Sot, Tak Province 63110, Thailand e.mail: [email protected] website: www.aappb.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MONTHLY CHRONOLOGY September 2010 Summary of current situation There are a total of 2193 political prisoners in Burma. This is an overall increase of 10 in comparison to last month’s figure of 2,183. In September, 13political prisoners were arrested, four of those arrested were released within the month. Retrospective information explains why there is actually an overall increase of 10 this month. These include: CATEGORY NUMBER Monks 256 Members of Parliament 12 Students 285 Women 176 NLD members 413 Members of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters 31 network Ethnic nationalities 233 Cyclone Nargis volunteers 20 Teachers 26 Media activists 40 Lawyers 12 Labor activists 36 88 Generation Students 39 Doctors 11 Individual 602 In poor health 141 Total 2193 Since the protests in September 2007 leading to September’s Saffron Revolution, a total of 1,178 activists have been arrested and are still in detention. 1 Monthly Trend Analysis During the month of September 2010, 11 student activists, one journalist and one NLD member were arrest- ed. 21 political prisoners were sentenced, including two monks sentenced for politi- cally motivated charges. Political prisoners continue to suffer the consequences of inhumane living conditions. At least141 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. During the month of September, there was an increase in election related arrests, including the 11 students who were arrested for anti-election campaigning and one monk was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his part in anti-election campaigns. Seven political prisoners (ABSDF members), imprisoned since 2008, had their sentences extended by 20 years.12 labour activist were sentenced, two with sentences over twenty years long. Imprisoned Shan leader Khun Htun Oo is reportedly suffering from multiple health problems, generated by the conditions of his detention and the refusal of the prison authorities to provide him with adequate health care. The SPDC made two announcements, towards the end of the month, in regards to Daw Aung Suu Syi, firstly that she would be allowed to vote in the election and secondly that she would be released after the election on 13 November. Torture Torture remains a widespread practice in Burma’s prisons and a serious impact on the health and well being of political prisoners , as the case of The health of monk leader Ashin Gambira, illustrates. The health of Gambira, detained in Kale prison, is deteriorating due to torture and other mistreatment during his interrogation and imprisonment. Treatment of prisoners and their families 11 September 2010 Ethnic politicians mark imprisoned Shan leader’s birthday Burma’s ethnic politicians in Rangoon held 67th anniversary birthday party of Khun Htun Oo, Chairman of defunct Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD). “It was just a small ceremony held at a restaurant at 8 Miles in Rangoon. It was organized and attended by members of UNA (United Nationalities Alliance) and SNLD,” he said. Khun Htun Oo, 67, party leader and elected MP for Shan State North’s Hsipaw, is currently serving a 95-year term in Burma’s in Putao since 3 November 2005, on charges of treason, defamation, setting 2 up of illegal organization and violation of the 5/96 Law prohibiting people from criticizing the constitution drafted by its rulers. He is said to be suffering from bladder distension, peptic ulcer, arthritis both in hands and knees and legs swelling since April 2009 due to inadequate exercise and lack of regular medical treatment, according to family members. Specialists, on consultation by his family, said it was also due to insufficient sunlight and ventilation. But up to date, he is still not allowed to get medical check up outside even though the family has applied to have access to medical check outside several times as there is no health service that reaches his place, Putao. He was only allowed to receive oral treatment, the family said. “It is difficult for him to move easily as he is getting older. We are worried about his condition even though he tries his best not to worry us,” his daughter told SHAN. His family is allowed to visit him once a month. (Shan Herald 13 September 2010) Prisoners Released In September, four political prisoners were released. NLD member, Tun Yin was released. Two students, Cham Myae Aung and Ye Linn Phyoe, arrested for their alleged involvement in anti-election campaigning were released, as was journalist, Aung Thu Nyein, arrested for taking pictures of the flood damaged area of Magway. National League for Democracy There are at least 413members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) currently in prison. The NLD, was formally disbanded by the regime this month. Despite warnings by the regime not to criticise the elections the NLD continues to support boycott activities throughout the country. The NLD announced that while it is boycotting the elections it will still monitor the process on election day. The party has been touring the country for several months to inform the population about its right not to vote, as well as to forward Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's message for unity amongst the ethnic groups. NLD's Vice Chairman, U Tin Oo and Executive members met with the families of political prisoners across the country. The health of several NLD leaders is deteriorating. Win Tin was briefly admitted to hospital after a asthma attack. Meanwhile, Tin Oo was flown to Singapore to undergo an eye operation. 27 September NLD Marks 22 Years At an event marking the NLD's 22nd anniversary, Vice-chairman Tin Oo says the party is reconsolidating and will be revitalized when Suu Kyi is released from detention. As it marks its 22nd anniversary on Monday, the disbanded National League for Democracy (NLD) party has claimed that it is currently reconsolidating and will be revitalized when its leader Aung San Suu Kyi is released from detention. Under the surveillance of plainclothed security forces, the anniversary event was held at the home of party vice-chairman Tin Oo in Rangoon and was attended by 300 party members and some veteran politicians.“The NLD will become stronger when Daw Suu is released,” said Tin Oo, 83, who founded the party in 1988 together with Suu Kyi. “We are now consolidating our forces on a steady basis.” Although the party was disbanded last month for failing to register for the Nov. 7 election, senior party officials claim that the party still exists and will continue its struggle for democracy in Burma. Party officials said the party's headquarters in Rangoon still opens every day, but that meetings are held in its members' homes in order to avoid confrontation with the regime. “We will continue to march forward with the principle of nonviolence guided by Daw Suu,” Tin Oo said. Despie jail threats, the NLD has sent its representatives out to 3 spread the message among the electorate that Burmese citizens have the right not to vote and that they can exercise that right should they find no alternative to the NLD. Over the past 22 years, the NLD has frequently come under criticism for its unsuccessful struggle against the regime and for its aging leadership. But over the past few months, the party has undergone some changes. Party Chairman Aung Shwe, who wanted the NLD to contest the election, has not appeared at a party gathering since March 29 when a majority of party members made a decision to boycott the polls. Aung Shwe and some other top leaders, including party secretary U Lwin, were known for their cautious approach and were often frowned upon by party's active members at the township and regional levels. They also reportedly discouraged party members from joining in the 2007 monks' protests. Thus, the party has been long infamous for acrimonious relations between the “elders” and the active members at the grassroots level. This problematic relation has almost been solved since Aung Shwe and U Lwin no longer come to the party meetings, and several party members who were suspended under their leadership have been brought back within the party's fold again, according to Aye Thar Aung, the secretary of the Committee Representing the Peoples' Parliament, an alliance of several political parties which won seats in the last election in 1990. Asked how the NLD will respond if another mass uprising occurred, Tin Oo said, “We will provide the leadership this time around.”Led by charismatic Suu Kyi, the NLD won the 1990 election by a landslide, however the results were never honored by the regime. (Irrawaddy 27 September 2010) 20 September 2010 NLD Continues Boycott Activities Despite Threats Members of the disbanded National League for Democracy party (NLD) continued their election boycott activities despite the regime's warning of jail threats on Saturday. A group of NLD leaders in Rangoon continue their tour of several towns in Central Burma, spreading the message of their detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi that the Burmese people have a right not to vote. “We will not decrease or stop our activities,” said Han Thar Myint, a central executive member of the NLD, speaking by phone from Yenanchaung. “If we care about what the government said, we will not be able to do anything.” On Monday in Yenanchaung, he and a few other NLD leaders met with local party members, briefing them about the party's boycott stance against the Nov.