Burma’s prisons and labour camps: Silent killing fields

The Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) today released a report, highlighting the growing health crisis for political prisoners in Burma. The report – entitled “Burma’s prisons and labour camps: Silent killing fields” – outlines the health impact of systematic torture, long-term imprisonment, transfers to remote prisons, and denial of healthcare on the country’s pro-democracy activists.

AAPP Joint-Secretary Bo Kyi said, “The situation for Burma’s political prisoners is dire.  Not only are there more political prisoners than ever before, they are facing harsher sentences. Leading activists have been transferred to the most remote prisons, where there are no prison doctors, and they are more likely to contract diseases like malaria and tuberculosis.  This is a new cruel and inhumane strategy by the regime.”

According to the report, over 350 activists have been sentenced since October last year, and the majority of them have been transferred to remote jails away from their families.  Due to the lack of proper healthcare in Burma’s jails, political prisoners rely on their families for medicine and food.  However, the prison transfers make it difficult for family members to visit, and provide essential medicine.

At least 127 political prisoners are in poor health, according to the report, 19 of them require urgent medical treatment. These include; Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, comedian Zarganar, labour activist Su Su Nway and 88 Generation Students leader Min Ko Naing.

“Many political prisoners have already died in prison.  This has to stop. The regime must end its cruel and inhumane practices, and release all political prisoners,” added Bo Kyi.

AAPP is currently co-ordinating a global campaign for Burma’s political prisoners, which aims to collect 888,888 petition signatures before 24 May.  This is the date that the military junta claims that Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be released from house arrest, despite the fact that the United Nations has recently said her six years under house arrest contravenes the military regime’s own laws. 

The petition can be signed at www.fbppn.net or here burmacampaign.org.uk/fbppn.htm

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Find out more about political prisoners in Burma here.

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For more information, please contact: Tate Naing at +66-(0)81-2878751 or Bo Kyi at +66-(0)81-3248935

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Notes to editors:
1.    Former political prisoners Htay Aung and Aung Kyaw Oo whose cases are featured in the report are available for interview.  Please contact Tate Naing or Bo Kyi to arrange interviews.
2.    The images in the report are available on request as 300 dpi jpeg files, or eps files.  Please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to make the request.
3.    The campaign is led by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)   and Forum for Democracy in Burma . 
4.    200 organizations worldwide have endorsed the campaign.  For the full list, please click here

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