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
               Bo Kyi (66) 81 324 8935