We are extremely concerned for the health of leading democracy activist Ko Mya Aye, who is being denied access to proper medical treatment he urgently needs for a heart condition.

Ko Mya Aye is one of the leaders of 88 Generation Students Group, which led protests in 1988 and again in 2007. He is currently detained Taungyi Prison in Shan State, many miles from emergency medical care, and too far away for family to make regular visits.

Ko Mya Aye appears to be suffering from angina, which has recently become unstable causing heart failure and requiring urgent medical treatment. He is also suffering from hypertension and gastric problems. He needs proper medical tests that can only be done in Rangoon, and will probably require an angioplasty operation or coronary artery bypass graft. So far there have been none of the required medical tests or operations. Another angina attack without access to emergency medical care would be very serious.

Ko Mya Aye is also being held in conditions which are making his health condition much worse. On his arrival in the jail he was put in a cell which is for death row prisoners, and denied any exercise. There is no toilet or running water in the cell and he has to go toilet in an open field by the prison with no privacy.

Burma’s generals systematically use the denial of medical treatment to mistreat and abuse political prisoners. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) estimates that 137 political prisoners are in poor health as a result of harsh medical conditions or being denied proper medical care.

Please take action now.

Send an email to urge the Burmese authorities to allow immediate medical treatment to Ko Mya Aye.