Pinheiro urges SPDC to urgently release old and ill political prisoners

DVB ( 10 November 2003 )

The UN special human rights envoy to Burma, Mr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro urged the SPDC to unconditionally release all old and ill political prisoners as soon as possible.

The arrests and imprisonments of old and ill political prisoners are shameful deeds, he told reporters before leaving Rangoon on 8 November.

There are more than 1300 political prisoners in prisons throughout Burma including 35 people arrested in connection with Dipeyin incident.

The health conditions of old prisoners such as U Win Tin, U Thu Wei, Dr. Than Nyein, U Saw Naing Naing and U Ohn Maung are said to be very bad.

The condition of the MP of Nyaunglebin U Ohn Maung (75) is said to be worse than others as he is suffering from urinal diseases and unable to pass water.

He is has lost his appetite and unable to eat solid food for more than 20 days, according to his wife Khin Kyi Kyi. He has heart condition, liver complaint and gastric diseases, she added.

The wife of Pazundaung MP U Saw Naing Naing, Daw Tin Tin Hla told DVB that her husband needs another operation as he has heart disease and other serious illnesses.