Burmese police arrest prominent activist
Police in Burma have arrested a prominent activist who was visiting survivors of cyclone Nargis.
The ex editor of First Eleven journal, Zaw Thet Htway, was taken into custody in the town of Minbu in upper Burma.
His wife told the BBC that he was visiting the Irrawaddy Delta while accompanied by journalists.
The Burmese authorities have arrested Zaw Thet Hway several times before, in 2003 he was convicted of high treason and sentenced to death.
But this was later changed to a prison sentence and he was released in 2005 after serving eighteen months.
The ex editor of First Eleven journal, Zaw Thet Htway, was taken into custody in the town of Minbu in upper Burma.
His wife told the BBC that he was visiting the Irrawaddy Delta while accompanied by journalists.
The Burmese authorities have arrested Zaw Thet Hway several times before, in 2003 he was convicted of high treason and sentenced to death.
But this was later changed to a prison sentence and he was released in 2005 after serving eighteen months.
Disease on the Rise in Laputta
Due to the spread of diarrhea and other infectious diseases, dozens of cyclone victims in Laputta Township are seeking medical treatment in local clinics every day, according to doctors active in the area.
Aye Kyu, a Burmese doctor working in Laputta told. On Monday that about 100 patients—most suffering from diarrhea—gather at nine local clinics to receive medicine or medical treatment every day.
“About 20 patients came to my clinic this morning. Six of them were suffering from diarrhea. It’s the same at every clinic around here. Diarrhea is the single biggest problem,” said Aye Kyu.
A local resident said that diarrhea was spreading not only in the town of Laputta, but also in the surrounding area. He added that although local nongovernmental organizations are providing medicine, supplies are not sufficient to meet the needs of patients.
Aye Kyu, a Burmese doctor working in Laputta told. On Monday that about 100 patients—most suffering from diarrhea—gather at nine local clinics to receive medicine or medical treatment every day.
“About 20 patients came to my clinic this morning. Six of them were suffering from diarrhea. It’s the same at every clinic around here. Diarrhea is the single biggest problem,” said Aye Kyu.
A local resident said that diarrhea was spreading not only in the town of Laputta, but also in the surrounding area. He added that although local nongovernmental organizations are providing medicine, supplies are not sufficient to meet the needs of patients.
An international human rights group has asked the Burmese military junta to immediately release a comedian and social activist who was arrested while distributing aid to victims of last month''s deadly cyclone.Maung Thura, whose stage name is Zargana, was arrested on June 4 after giving interviews to the BBC and the exile magazine 'The Irrawaddy' about shortcomings in the government's aid efforts and the slow response by United Nations agencies, the Human Rights Watch said."To arrest one of Burma's most famous public figures for talking to the media at the time he was distributing aid shows the Burmese government is more concerned with controlling its citizens than assisting them," said Brad Adams, Asia director at the HRW."Countries genuinely concerned about Burma (Myanmar) should be pressing the government for Zargana's immediate release," he said.During his arrest, officials searched Zargana's house, seizing foreign currency and videos of the cyclone, it said. However, Zargana's network of more than 400 volunteers had reached some villages affected by the cyclone and had been distributing urgently needed food aid.Zargana was previously detained for a year following the 1988 pro-democracy demonstrations. In 1990, the authorities jailed him for four years for making political speeches.
No comments:
Post a Comment