Political Prisoner Ma Ni Mo Hlaing in critical condition

Media Statement - for immediate release
November 7, 2009
Political Prisoner Ma Ni Mo Hlaing in critical condition
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) has learned that Ma Ni Mo Hlaing, who is currently being held in Thayet prison, is suffering from typhoid fever. She began demonstrating symptoms of fever on October 6, 2009, and her condition has steadily deteriorated since.
Due to the severity of her condition, Thayet prison officers have alerted her family by telegraph, and her mother was able to visit her in prison on October 27.
Prison officials have also authorized a blood test, but refused to share its results with the family. Ma Ni Mo Hlaing was administered gastric tablets and typhoid injections by the prison’s medical authorities, but her situation has not improved, prompting the prison’s resident doctor to qualify her condition as very serious. Her family also has a history of suffering from meningitis, and this has caused additional concern for her health. It is known that typhoid fever can be fatal when appropriate medical treatment is not provided.
Ma Ni Mo Hlaing was sentenced to consecutive three and two year sentences in 23 March 2009. She is a member of the National League for Democracy, Burma’s main opposition party which won a landslide election in 1990, but was never allowed by the military junta to govern. Also she was actively involved as leading role in “Saffron Revolution” on September 2007 and fundraising for independent Cyclone Nargis relief efforts with her friends.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners can confirm that there are at least 128 political prisoners in bad health held in prisons across Burma.

###
For media interviews, please contact:
Tate Naing, AAPP Secretary +66(0)81-287-8751
Bo Kyi, AAPP Joint-Secretary +66(0)81-324-8935