Burma Update: April 23, 2008

Highlight

US Department of State: Burmese Regime Fails to Provide Proper Medical Care to Political Prisoners

"We condemn the failure of Burma’s authorities to provide proper medical treatment to a number of prisoners, who may suffer irreparable damages due to the lack of prompt medical attention. We have received reports that pro-democracy activist and 88 Generation Students leader Min Ko Naing has not received care for an eye infection that, if left untreated, could cause loss of sight. In March, U Myint Thein, the National League for Democracy spokesperson, died in Singapore from cancer that was left untreated while he was imprisoned for his role in the September pro-democracy protests.

We are also concerned that Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi still has not received the monthly visits with her doctor as had been agreed with UN Special Envoy on Burma Ibrahim Gambari.

We urge the regime to release all political prisoners immediately. The intentional withholding of necessary medical treatment for political reasons is a serious violation of human rights. While these individuals are in the custody of the regime, they should receive the medical care they require."


News from Burmese Media

Mizzima News: Min Ko Naing at Risk of Blindness
Narinjara News: Minister Level Officials Visit Arakan to Organize Residents
Narinjara News: National ID Cards for Muslims in Arakan State
Narinjara News: Two Villagers Killed for Involvement in Saffron Revolution
Independent Mon News Agency: Nay Pyi Taw Sends Team to Investigate 54 Suffocation Cases
Shan Herald Agency for News: Wa Farmers Demand Return to Poppy Cultivation
Kachin News Group: Junta Recruits Residents in Nam Tu in Burma Army
Irrawaddy News Magazine: The Irrawaddy Surveys Sagaing on Referendum
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Military Commanders Join Referendum “Vote Yes” Campaign
Irrawaddy News Magazine: EU Debate Burma, Vote on Resolution
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burma Urged to Give Proper Medical Care for Political Prisoners
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burma Plans to Rig Constitution Referendum
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burma's Anti-junta Protester Dies after Setting Himself Ablaze
Khonumthung News: Chin People Exhorted to Vote Against New Charter
Democratic Voice of Burma: NGOs Call for Justice after Aigrant Deaths
Democratic Voice of Burma: NLD Secretary’s Home Attacked
Democratic Voice of Burma: Whirlwind Hits Mae Tao Clinic
Mizzima News: Opinion Poll Suggests Burmese are Confused about Referendum
Mizzima News: Gmail Users Face Difficulty
Mizzima News: Analysts Apprehend Vote Rigging


News from Regional/International Media

Bangkok Post: Myanmar's Opposition Party Urges Proper Medical Care for Political Prisoners
International Herald Tribune: Myanmar's Opposition Party Says Political Prisoners Denied Proper Medical Care
Nine MSN: Tough Tales in New Thai-Burma Rail Book


Opinion/Other

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burma’s Durable Junta [Commentary] - Kyaw Zwa Moe
The Economist: Myanmar's Awful Choice [Asia View]
OneWorld South Asia: Burma: Chronicle of A Referendum Foretold - Marwaan Macan-Markar]
The New Straits Times: No Room for No Amid the Junta's Yes Drive - Moe Moe Yu


Report/Briefer

The Burma Campaign UK: Last Month in Burma: News from and about Burma
The Burma Campaign UK: Last Month in Parliament: A Summary of Burma-Related Issues in the British Parliament and Europe