ENGLISH DEYEA NEWS

Phanida : Chiang Mai – Member of Burmese political opposition Thant Zin Myo, who has been in custody in the notorious Insein prison for over 11 months, has been denied medical treatment despite his deteriorating health, his wife said.

Hla Hla Maw, wife of Thant Zin Myo, who has been detained without any trial, said the authorities had rejected him from undergoing medical treatment and that she is concerned over his deteriorating health.

"He told me that he was suffering from arthritis, gastric ulcer and a swollen face when I visit him in prison. He said he has not received any medical treatment but was given only medicines for gastric ulcer.

Thant Zin Myo, was also denied a blood test for his rheumatoid fever, his wife added.

"My husband is suffering from various diseases," said Hla Hla Maw, adding that That Zin Myo has heart problems, rheumatoid fever and gastric ulcer even before his arrest and had previously undergone medical treatment.

Two months ago, authorities rejected a petition signed by his family and sent to Snr. Gen Than Shwe, prison in-charge, for medical treatment.

Thant Zin Myo was charged along with his co-defendants Kyaw Soe Win, San Win and Thant Zaw Myint under Section 505(b) and 143 of the Criminal Code, of committing an offence against public tranquility.

They were arrested for staging protests against rising commodity prices at Rangoon's downtown district of Hledan on September 28, 2007.

"I was worried about his health when I met him during my prison visit. If he does not receive proper treatment inside the prison, he will not last long," his wife said.

"Our request and our petition have fallen on deaf ears and we have not yet received any reply from the authority," she added.

His family members said they are now approaching a young lawyer, Maung Maung Latt, to defend his case, when he is produced before the Court.

Pho Phyu, another young lawyer, said the government has kept pending on cases of those arrested in connection to the September protest last year.

"The courts are hearing other cases only," Pho Phyu said.

He said, the authorities despite of proceeding with the trail 16 monks, who were arrested for September protests, later suspended.

Currently, cases of the 7 - 8 monks from 'Ngwe Kyar Yan' monastery, who are arrested in connection with the September protests, are being trialed. And the authorities also began the trial of student activists including the 88 Generation Students, 96 Generation Students, and other activists arrested for vote 'NO' campaign in the May referendum, and distributing of Rambo IV VCDs and activists related to ILO report cases.

"Their family members are exhausted and cannot afford to bear the financial burden for their cases," he said.

Besides, people who assisting the activists in their court cases are now focused on the cyclone relief operation in Irrawaddy Division, leaving the detained activists in difficulties even to get food, he added.