Burma: Continued Torture Of Political Prisoners

Press Release: Assistance Association for Political Prisoners ( Burma )

30 May

Political prisoners held in Insein Prison, in Rangoon, have been continuously tortured throughout the month of May, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) has learned.

On May 10 2008, five political prisoners from No.5 ward of Insein prison were hooded, severely beaten, and held in punishment shackles in solitary confinement. The prisoners are apparently being punished for refusing to carry out prison duties, normally only allocated to criminal prisoners. The prisoners – who are still being held in shackles in solitary confinement – are U Tin Mya, Chairman of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Thingangyun Township, U Myint Htun from NLD, Shwepyithar Township, Ko Thant Zaw from the NLD and U Damica aka U Htun Htun, U Kyaw and Saw Naing from the Karen National Union.

On the female ward, most of the female political prisoners' health has deteriorated, affected by unclean drinking water. However they have not received adequate medical treatment.

“The country is facing a huge humanitarian crisis following Cyclone Nargis, and still the authorities are carrying out grave human rights abuses against political prisoners,” said Ko Tate Naing, Secretary of AAPP. “The plight of Burma 's political prisoners must not be forgotten,” he added.

On May 3 2008 tropical cyclone Nargis struck Burma , tearing the roof from Insein Prison. Prison authorities refused to move the inmates to safety, leading to riots, during which soldiers, riot police and prison guards massacred thirty-six inmates and injured around 70. The authorities carried out an investigation, which lead to the deaths of an additional four prisoners under interrogation. 98 prisoners including

Seven political prisoners were locked in a punishment cell block. Nyan Lin Aung, member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions has suffered a severe back injury as a result of being beaten.

ENDS

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