P.

O Box 93, Mae Sot, Tak Province 63110, Thailand

e.mail: info@aappb.org , website: www.aappb.org
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Cyclone Nargis’ Aftermath in Insein Prison

Information Release
Date: June 6, 2008
Insein prison, located in Rangoon, suffered damage from cyclone Nargis on
May 2 and 3. In Insein prison, the strong cyclone blew away the roofs of multiple
buildings, flooded prison wards and tore many trees out of the ground. In addition,
a fire which broke out during the storm caused thick smoke to envelope much of
the prison.
Furthermore, the roof of the food warehouse was completely blown away
so bags of rice were soaked and destroyed by heavy rain. The rice bags became
moldy, foul and inedible so ICRC replaced them with new bags of rice as soon as
they found out about the situation. Prison authorities used the new rice from ICRC
to feed prisoners for three days: 19, 20 and 21 of May. Later they fed the prisoners
the wet, foul and inedible rice.
Due to that inhumane act, many prisoners are suffering from diseases
related to eating the bad food. Prisoners are mainly suffering from diarrhea,
dysentery, vomiting and dizziness, skin allergies (having bumps on the whole
body), swollen stomach and typhoid. We have come to know that female prisoners
in the women’s compound of Insein prison have been suffering even more
severely than others. Furthermore, it has been reported that prison authorities
haven’t provided any adequate medical care for those who suffer.
 Tate Naing, the secretary of the Assistance Association for Political
Prisoners (Burma) also known as AAPP stated the following, “the health situation
of prisoners will worsen and become critical if they are fed that bad and inedible
food any longer. Contagious diseases will spread very quickly in a crowded place
like prison if authorities do not take appropriate actions promptly.
Myo Yan Naung Thein, who was arrested on December 14, 2007 due to his
participation in the 2007 September Saffron Revolution, was severely tortured
during interrogation. He is now suffering from wounds received when he was
beaten by prison authorities. Moreover, he was accused of being mentally ill and
purposefully transferred to a special ward for mentally disabled people since he
had a quarrel with prison authorities. Recently, Myo Yan Naung Thein has
required assistance to help him walk in order to go to the visiting room to see his
family on visiting days.
U Ohn Than was arrested on August 23, 2007 while he engaged in a solo
demonstration in front of the United States Embassy in Rangoon. He was
sentenced to life imprisonment and detained first in Insein Prison. Later, he was
transferred to Mandalay prison, and then to Kalay prison, and finally to Khamti
prison. The prison where he is now detained is located in a severe malaria area.
Prisoners in that prison are vulnerable to be infected very quickly. U Ohn Than is
now suffering from a severe stage of cerebral malaria. The malaria virus has
reached his brain. To cover up his critical health situation, prison authorities sent a
telegram to his family pretending it was written by U Ohn Than himself, saying
that he doesn’t need to be visited and his family can transfer money to him instead
of visiting him in person.
Tate Naing, the secretary of the Assistance Association for Political
Prisoners (Burma) related to the above mentioned situation said, “prison
authorities should follow the jail manual which says prisoners should be placed in
prisons close to their families. This way, prisoners will have family visits
frequently and their needs will be provided for by their families.”

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)

Contact: Tate Naing (66) 81 287 8751