domingo, 17 de mayo de 2009

PRISIONEROS POLITICOS LIBRES YA- HTIN KYAW

HTIN KYAW

Political activist

Born: 1963?
Organization: Myanmar Development Committee (MDC)
Prison: Insein (Rangoon)

• Htin Kyaw is a former NLD youth member. He was forced to resign from the party as a result of pressure from his employer. In 2003, he quit his job to return to political activism.

• In 2006, he and other activists formed the Myanmar Development Committee (MDC). They group’s activities aimed at denouncing the regime’s policies and mismanagement of the economy.

• On 6 March 2007, he was briefly detained in connection with a 22 February demonstration in Rangoon which called for improved health care and education, better pension benefits, and lower prices for food staples.

• On 8 March, SPDC Special Branch police arrested him soon after a press conference held at the residence of veteran politician Win Naing to brief journalists about the deteriorating socio-economic situation in Burma. He was released on 9 March.

• On 22 March, police rearrested him for staging a solo protest calling for religious freedom in front of Rangoon’s Hledan market. SPDC authorities had earlier prevented him from serving as a monk at a monastery in Rangoon. He was released on 23 March.

• On 22 April, he was arrested after staging his third protest against high commodity prices. He was released on 27 July.

• On 25 August, he was arrested after a demonstration at Theingyi market in Rangoon’s Latha Township. He was detained in Insein prison and charged with Act 505(B) for Conducting to Public Mischief and Oppositions and Act (124).

• In March 2008, Insein prison authorities placed him in solitary confinement in the dog kennels after he shouted political slogans against SPDC leaders and the junat’s constitutional referendum.

• On 17 November 2008, he was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison.