Immediate Release
January 12, 2006

A political prisoner, Ko Khin Maung Lwin (38 years) passed away on January 11, 2006 at 9:30 a.m in Putao hospital, in the northern part of Burma.

Ko Khin Maung Lwin was the son of U Aung Kyi (deceased) and Daw Than Aye (68 years), who lives in Myitta Street, Thakayta Township, Rangoon.

Ko Khin Maung Lwin was an activist who was involved in the 1988 uprising to fight against the military regime and to establish Democracy in Burma.

He lead the Green Star Youth's Front (Kyel Sein Lu-Nge Tat Oo) at the demonstration camp in front of Rangoon General Hospital. He then joined the Democracy Party and was a candidate in the 1990 election for the Kunchangon township constituency.

In 1995, he served as a witness for a woman who had been raped. The military regime accused him of giving false testimony, and he was sentenced to one and half years with hard labor. He was released in 1996.

In 1998, he wrote an open letter titled "HELP" ( Kal Daw Mu Gya Per) and sent it to the Sanga Patron Association, the SPDC and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. In the letter he said that the people are in trouble, and that the generals should help them. He also asked the Sanga to repeat their own call for the people to be helped. Due to the letter, he was arrested under the 17/20 act which is the illegal printing and publishing act, and also 124 (A) which is un-respectful behavior to the country. He was sentenced to ten years with hard labor.

He was held in Insein prison for one month and then transferred to Kale prison. He was then transferred again from Kale to Loikaw prison on 5 May 2002. He was held seven months in Kale and then transferred again to Putao prison.

He continuously suffered hypertension, heart disease, piles disease, malaria and urethra stricture. He requested proper medical treatment from the prison authorities many times. The prison superintendent recommended him for treatment from an outside hospital five times, but this was never granted by the military regime. On January 10, when the prison doctor realized he was incurably ill, he was sent to Putao hospital. After one day there he passed away.

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)