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Myo Yan Naung Thein's Price For Burma's Freedom
Myo Yan Naung Thein's Price For Burma's Freedom
Myo Yan Naung Thein's Price For Burma's Freedom
Myo Yan Naung Thein always played a vital role in the struggle for
freedom in Burma. He actively participated in the 2007 Saffron revolution.
Because of his political and democratic activities the military government
constantly monitored him very closely.
Due to this stressful situation his mother in her 70s is bed ridden
diagnosed with high blood pressure and a heart condition. She anxiously
expects the day of her son’s release from prison. His wife Aye Mya Nadi
was threatened with arrest.
On 28th January 2008, his mother saw him for the very first time after 6
weeks in detention, a heart-breaking scene when she saw him. The
inflicted torture by the Special Police and Swan-Ar-Shin (government
sponsored militias) during detention has caused him paralysis along his
left side body unable him to walk properly. Once a healthy and fit person
he has become a dependable person needing aid for walking. His crime,
being a freedom fighter, making him a prisoner of conscience.
In Burma, time sentences are life and death. There is no rule of law and
the laws are dictated by the generals to suit their moods.
On 29 May 2008 his brother Myo Thein reported to the media that Myo
Yan Naung Thein’s medical condition was rapidly deteriorating. He was
vomiting daily and could not sleep. He required assistance to walk to the
visiting room to see his family on visiting days.
In May 2008 Myo Yan Naung Thein requested the prison authorities to
allow him to see a neurologist instead he was punished for his request
with two weeks solitary confinement in an Ayutheit cell, where prisoners
with mental problems are normally kept. He was reportedly given
medication for a mental health problem, even though his problem was
neurological not mental. Whilst he was in that cell he had to sit on the wet
floor as the roof of the building was not properly repaired following the
damage caused by the Nargis Cyclone.
On 27 August 2008, his brother Myo Thein reported to AAPP, Myo Yan
Naung Thein's trial progress and that his health situation was being
treated at the hospital.
On 13 May 2009 Myo Yan Naung Thein’s health situation worsen and no
medical treatment was received for more than two months since he
complained about his deteriorating health situation.
His legs are stiff and cannot bend at all that people have to carry him to
move around. This is the new development of health build up apart from
his neurological problem. He cannot sleep nor eat well as consequence,
he has lost a lot of weight.
Visiting him is very difficult for the family members due to natural
barriers. By coach it takes 2 days to get there, roads are very bumpy and
dangerous as they are built through mountains and jungles. Bus fares are
very expensive and trips are risky.
“The reason the military junta send political prisoners to remote prisons is
to extend punishment onto political prisoners' families”, said Khin Maung
Win, Director at the Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) in United States.
http://jegsburma.blogspot.com/2009/07/myo-yan-naung-theins-price-for-burmas.html