25 March 2006
U Ko Oo, a 64 year old political prisoner, who had been imprisoned in Thayet prison, died from liver problems at Thayet Hospital on 25 March 2006.
U Ko Oo, Secretary of the Thayet Township National League for Democracy (NLD), was arrested by Military Intelligence (MI) in April 2000 and given two years imprisonment under Articles 363 and 505 (b) of the Criminal Procedure Code. Seven years were later added to his sentence, making a total of nine years imprisonment.
Since the NLD's founding, U Ko Oo had been an active member, making his residence the party's office in his native township Thayet. After the Committee Representing People's Parliament (CRPP) was formed in 1998, he was detained for a short period of time after refusing to remove the party signpost from his house. He further refused to resign from the party despite pressure from the MI. His son was also arrested, falsely charged and imprisoned. In 2000, U Ko Oo was imprisoned on false charges.
While in prison, U Ko Oo suffered from serious arthritis and gastritis, yet the authorities did not provide adequate medical treatment. Moreover, he was referred to the hospital only at the last minute. His liver problems developed as a result of poor nutrition and insufficient medical care.
"U Ko Oo died from the willful neglect of the authorities," said Tate Naing, Secretary of the AAPP, "The health care provided to political prisoners is tantamount to torture, as it is purposefully aggravated by the authorities and causes severe suffering."
Since 1988, a total of at least127 democracy activists have died behind bars. At least 90 have died while in prison, 8 in the interrogation centers, 4 in the labor camps, 15 have disappeared and are presumed dead, and 10 have died very shortly after their release.
In 2005 alone, at least 7 democracy activists died behind bars. U Ko Oo is the second democracy activist to die behind bars in 2006.
"An independent commission, under the auspices of the UN, should investigate all cases of death in custody and report on their findings," continued Tate Naing, "The increased number democracy activists dying behind bars must end and those responsible must be held accountable."
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)

For more information:
Ko Tate Naing (66) 1 287 8751
Ko Bo Kyi (66) 1 324 8935