Irrawaddy:Regime Frees Longest-serving Political Prisoner, Win Tin

By SAW YAN NAING

Tuesday,September 23,2008

Burma’s longest-serving political prisoner, 79-year-old journalist Win Tin, was freed on Tuesday after 19 years behind bars.

Win Tin was among 9,002 prisoners released, only a handful of whom were political detainees.

The freed political prisoners included another well-known writer, Aung Soe Myint, and four members of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD)—Khin Maung Swe, May Win Myint, Win Htein and Than Nyein.

A close friend of Win Tin, Maung Maung Khin, told The Irrawaddy the long-serving political prisoner had been released unconditionally and in good health.

“He didn’t need to sign any conditional agreement with the Burmese authorities,” Maung Maung Khin said.

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Press for Release of Political Prisoners, Say Activists

By SAW YAN NAING

Friday,August 1,2008

The new UN human rights rapporteur for Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, should visit political prisoners and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and forcefully press for their release during his first visit to Burma next week, say human rights activists. 

The new UN human rights rapporteur is scheduled to visit Burma from August 3 to 7 discuss human rights issues with the Burmese military government. 

Dr Than Nyein denied medical treatment

Jul 29, 2008 (DVB)–Long-term political prisoner and Kyauk Tan township’s elected people’s parliament representative Dr Than Nyein is still awaiting proper medical attention after being diagnosed with suspected liver cancer in February.

Dr Than Nyein, who is being held in Prom prison, has been suffering from kidney stones and liver problems and was diagnosed with suspected liver cancer at Bago divisional hospital in February, according to his wife Daw Khin Aye.

No Political Prisoner in Burma: Junta’s Mouthpieces

By WAI MOE

Thursday,July 24 ,2008

Burma’s state-run newspapers rejected the use of the term “political prisoners” to describe imprisoned dissidents, saying in a series of articles published ahead of
Thursday’s commemoration of the United Nations’ Declaration on Prisoners of Conscience that detained activists were actually guilty of criminal offenses. 

U Win Tin receives treatment for bronchitis

Jul 14, 2008 (DVB)–Veteran journalist and long-term political prisoner U Win Tin has received medical attention in Insein prison, where he has been detained for past 19 years, according to a regular visitor.

U Win Tin’s close friend U Maung Maung Khin, who has been visiting the 79-year-old journalist every two weeks, said he had been diagnosed with bronchitis when he was admitted to Rangoon general hospital recently.

U Maung Maung Khin said U Win Tin is now feeling better after taking the medication prescribed by prison doctors for his condition.

Su Su Nway held in isolation

Jul 8, 2008 (DVB)–Activist Su Su Nway has been in solitary confinement since 5 July due to an argument with Insein prison officials, according to Dr Win Naing, a member of the National League for Democracy’s information department.

Dr Win Naing said the argument broke out while prison officials were conductinf a search of Su Su Nway’s belongings in her cell.

A song dedicated to all the Burmese political prisoners inside and outside the prison called Myanmar

 

U Win Tin marks 19 years in prison

Jul 7, 2008 (DVB)–Supporters of U Win Tin have called for his release from prison as the veteran journalist and National League for Democracy member marked 19 years behind bars on 4 July.

Ludu Sein Win, a close friend and colleague of U Win Tin, paid tribute to his friend’s integrity and commitment.