A KNU political prisoner dies in Burma

DVB - December 18, 2003

A political prisoner of Karen National Union (KNU) died in a Burmese prison from untreated tuberculosis on 12 December.

53 year old Saw Sar Htoo Saw, a Karen fighter was captured in 1982 and sentenced to death and later commuted to 10 years in prison. He had served his sentence but he was never released by the military authority.

A KNU spokesman, Saw Mahn Nyein Maung said that KNU prisoners have been imprisoned and tortured in Burmese prisons for many years.

Currently, there are approximately 100 KNU prisoners in Burmese prisons. He added that the SPDC has been trying to kill the prisoners systematically by several means including depriving them of medical treatments.

Ko Bo Kyi of AAPP (Assistance Association for Political Prisoners) said that several KNU prisoners died in Burmese prisons in the past despite the prospect of a ceasefire agreement with the SPDC and the rebels.

Saw Mahn Nyein Maung said that the SPDC has never shown any goodwill towards the KNU and now is the best time for the regime to do it.

There are more than 1500 political prisoners in Burma and Saw Sa Htoo Saw is the 84th prisoner to die in prison.