Further information:
Dr.Than Nyein still is in Pyay prison under 1975 law to Safeguard the State from the Dangers of Destructive Elements (known as 1975 State Protection Act 10 A).
Background:
Dr. Than Nyein was first arrested for political reasons in 1997 and was due to be released in 2004. Since then his period of detention has been extended several times.
His health has deteriorated due to hunger strikes for his freedom. The junta transferred him from prison to prison for six times. Currently, he is in Prome prison. Dr. Than Nyein, 71, suffers from gastric ulcers, liver disease and Ankylosing Spondylitis caused by prolonged imprisonment and torture. The regime releases many decrees which they regard as laws, and gradually kills political prisoners by extending their sentences again and again.
Dr. Than Nyein was arrested following an attempt by the NLD to hold a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD youth in Mayangone Township in Rangoon. On the day, the military authorities blocked a delegation of NLD members and leaders from holding the meeting, which included the Chairman, the two Vice-Chairmen and General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi. Many NLD members were forced into waiting vehicles and dumped near townships outside Rangoon. On that midnight, the military authorities arrested Dr. Than Nyein along with seven others. All detainees were given 7 years imprisonment under Article 5(j) of the 1950 Emergency Provision Act. The sentences were handed down on 10 December 1997. Amnesty Internatinal considers him as a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for his legitimate political activities.
In the past, Dr. Than Nyein was forced to retire from his position as a doctor. The reason was his involvement in the 1988 uprising. While he was running a private clinic in Thakayta Township in Rangoon, the military authorities arrested and charged him for not paying the registration fee for his private clinic. He was charged under the 1972 People’s Health Affairs Act Article 9 (1c) and the authorities released him after he paid a fine. The NLD said that the authorities targeted him and did not arrest or charge other clinic owners.
Dr. Than Nyein was born on August 5 1937. While he was Rangoon Institute of Medicine, he was elected as the chairperson of the Medical Students Union. He obtained a medical degree in 1963. He was also a volunteer doctor for the United nations in Sri Lanka from 1982-84. In NLD, he was Vice-Chairman or the Rangoon Division Organizing Committee. |
