The World Movement for Democracy has issued the following Democracy Alert appealing for action in support of detained Burmese democracy activists:
On July 2, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) issued an Urgent Appeal in support of close to a dozen detained democracy workers in Burmese prisons who have not received necessary medical care. In most cases, the detainees have been transferred to prisons far from their homes, making family visitations nearly impossible. This also severely restricts the ability of family members to provide medicines and other medical care for the prisoners. The government has also refused to allow the Red Cross to visit the detainees, since it does not agree to the internationally accepted mandate of the organization.
Pyi Phyoe Hlaing and Ko Thiha, who were arrested in 2007 following antigovernment protests, are both suffering from tuberculosis, as is Way Lin who was arrested in May 2007 for organizing a labor rights program. Other detainees have not received treatment for debilitating conditions, such as heart and lung conditions, and diabetes. In addition, a number of the detainees have suffered from nervous break-downs.
Given that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon will begin his visit to Burma on July 3, AHRC is calling on concerned individuals to write letters to the UN as well as to several Burmese agencies on behalf of the 11 detainees. Letters should call on officials to allow the detainees to receive proper medical treatment and to be transferred back to facilities close to their hometowns, where they will be able to receive the support of family and friends.
To read the AHRC’s urgent appeal, send a letter urging action in Burma, and to learn more about the individual detainees, please visit: www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2009/3192/
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