16 political prisoners who had served their full terms were released today from Burmese jails

Friday 17.12.2010

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Sixteen political prisoners who had served their full terms were released today from Burmese jails, infamous for their brutal, neglectful treatment of inmates, a spokesman of a prisoners’ aid group said.

Insein Prison (above, from the air) is notorious worldwide for its inhumane and dirty conditions, abusive techniques, failure to provide adequate food, hygiene or health care, and uses of mental and physical torture. Around 2,200 prisoners of conscience remain languishing behind bars in Burma’s jails, often deliberately far from inmates’ homes, thus making it very difficult for relatives to visit. Photo: Mizzima 

Those released were Buddhist monk Ashin Sandima, Kyaw Kyaw San, Chit Khin, Myint Swe, Thein Win, Han Sein, Maung Sein, Htay Aung, San Baw, Soe Ohn, Tun Myint, Maung Maung Than, Dr. Robert San Aung and three members of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), Assistance Association for Political Prisoners Burma secretary Tate Naing said.

Other than the three ABFSU members, the group was arrested in 2008 for protesting against the junta and demanding the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who at the time was under house arrest. They were sentenced to two years and six months for violating a ban on public gatherings of more than five people.