ABSDF: 14 Prisoners Transferred to

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Media Release
September 28, 1998

Fourteen Political Prisoners Transferred To Myitkyina Prison

On June 17, fourteen political prisoners were transferred from
Insein prison to Myitkyina prison in Kachin State in northern
Burma.  The prisoners included U Nyan Thaung, a member of the
National League for Democracy (NLD), from Mayangon township in
Rangoon. 

The fourteen were each sentenced to seven years imprisonment
shortly after a clash between NLD members and riot police in
Mayangon township in Rangoon in October 1997, when NLD General
Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was travelling to the NLD office
in Mayangon township to see NLD youth members. 

Also in Rangoon at the same time as the clash, three Members of
Parliament (MPs) from the NLD, Dr.Than Nyein, Dr. May Win Myint
and Daw San San, plus a number of NLD members, were arrested and
each sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

In recent years the military regime has frequently transferred
political prisoners to different prisons throughout Burma.  It is
believed that this is done to prevent links forming between
political prisoners, as well as between prisoners and prison
staff.  It also serves to keep prisoners isolated from their
families.

There are currently about 30 political prisoners, including the
group of fourteen, in Myitkyina prison, according to sources in
Rangoon. Prominent political prisoners including Dr. Zaw Myint
Maung, Dr. Khin Zaw Win, Ko Htein Lin, Ko Kyi Pe Ko, Aung Naing
Maw, U Hla Htun Aung, Chit Ko Ko and Khaing Zaw Oo are also in
Myitkyina prison. 

Three comedians in the prison detained for parodying the military
regime are not allowed visits from family members. U Pa Pa Lay, U
Htwe and U Aung Soe were each sentenced to seven years
imprisonment for their criticism of the junta in 1996.

All Burma Students' Democratic Front

For further information please call 01 253 9082