Independent UN rights expert calls for release of political prisoners in Myanmar

An independent United Nations human rights expert today urged the Government of Myanmar to release at least 2,202 prisoners of conscience still detained one month after the freeing of Aung San Suu Kyi, saying many of the prisoners are seriously ill as a result of harsh jail conditions.

“As Myanmar attempts to move forward in its democratic transition and the new Government seeks to establish a new era of peace and prosperity for the people, it is critical that prisoners of conscience be released immediately and unconditionally,” said Tomás Ojea Quintana, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.

“These are individuals who were imprisoned for exercising their basic human rights, the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly,” he said.

He voiced sadness at the death on 8 December of 50-year-old U Naymeinda, who was also known as Myo Min or Nay Win. He was a Buddhist monk and the 145th prisoner of conscience to die in prison in Myanmar since 1988.

Mr. Naymeinda had been arrested for distributing leaflets supporting a pro-democracy demonstration on 9 September 1999 and was charged under the Unlawful Associations Act and the Emergency Provisions Act and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

His health deteriorated when he was transferred to Moulmein Prison in Mon state far from his family, making it difficult for them to visit and provide essential food and medicine, a practice that is used frequently to further punish not only the prisoners but also their families, Mr. Quintana said.

The Special Rapporteur also voiced deep concern about reports he received on several prisoners in Cell block 4 in Insein prison, who appear to be suffering from malnutrition-related diseases as well as tuberculosis.

Releasing the prisoners of conscience, said Mr. Quintana, would be a strong signal that the new Government intends to uphold fundamental freedoms and would be welcomed by people inside and outside the country.

He recalled that before the legislative elections on 7 November, the Government had indicated that it might release some prisoners, but that has not happened.

According to Myanmar’s Government, the revision of national laws – particularly those used to convict many of the prisoners of conscience – is on its agenda and will be one of the matters taken up by the parliament.

“All prisoners of conscience should be released in advance of those deliberations,” Mr. Quintana said.

UN independent experts, including Mr. Quintana, report to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council. They work in an independent and unpaid capacity.