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Country Listing: Burma Name: Ma Thida Profession: Surgery Subject: Surgeon's Imprisonment Continues Alert Dates: 22 October 1997, 20 August 1997, 12 February 1997, 19 September 1995, 28 December 1993 Case Number: MY9327.MAT Updated: 9 September 1998 Human Rights Issues
Dr. Ma Thida, an imprisoned Burmese surgeon and former aide to pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was arrested in 1993 for the peaceful expression of her beliefs and her association with Aung San Suu Kyi. She is currently serving a twenty-year prison sentence. Dr. Ma Thida suffers from endometriosis and other ailments for which she is awaiting medical treatment. She is reportedly scheduled to undergo an untra-sound examination to determine if she requires surgery. The conditions of Ma Thida's imprisonment have improved slightly. She is currently being held in Insein Jail in her own cell where she meditates daily. She is able to provide some medical care to fellow prisoners during the daily exercise periods. Dr. Ma Thida is allowed to receive food and medicine from her family weekly and is allowed family visits every two weeks. Dr. Ma Thida was among the many health professionals who treated those injured during pro-democracy demonstrations in 1988. No further action is requested at this time. (Sources of information on this case include Amnesty International, Physicians for Human Rights, Burma Information Group, as well as localsources.) Relevant International Treaty Articles Dr. Ma Thida's arbitrary arrest, continued detention, and denial of adequate medical care constitute serious violations of international human rights standards, including basic protections provided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These rights include:
(Article 5);
(Article 9);
Name: Thu Thiha Profession: Physics (Student) Subject: Physics Student Imprisoned Alert Date: 2 February 1998 Case Number: BU9803.THU Human Rights Issues
Mr. Thiha Thu, a third year physics student, was among 900 students arrested in February 1992 for participating in peaceful demonstrations, which took place in Yangon and Mandalay on 10 and 11 December 1991. Demonstrators called for the release of Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi and the transfer of military power to civilian authorities. Mr. Thiha was arrested in his hometown of Moulmein in Mon State. In July 1992, a military tribunal sentenced Thiha and most of the other students to 15 years' imprisonment; however, the sentences were reduced to ten years in January 1993. Mr. Thiha was held in Insein prison in the Thi Thant section for political prisoners. In January 1994, he was transferred with other prisoners to either Thayet prison in Magway or Tharawaddy prison in the Bago division. There have been reports of deaths, torture, and poor conditions at these detention centers. (Source of information on this case is Amnesty International.) Relevant International Treaty Articles The detention of Mr. Thiha and hundreds of other students solely for their participation in non-violent demonstrations and for the expression of their political beliefs constitutes a serious violation of international human rights standards enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They include:
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