(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release: San San Nweh released after seven years of detention After seven years in prison and three years before the end of her sentence San San Nweh, journalist, writer and NLD member, was released on 18 July 2001 from Insein jail (Rangoon). Her daughter and […]
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an RSF press release:
San San Nweh released after seven years of detention
After seven years in prison and three years before the end of her sentence San San Nweh, journalist, writer and NLD member, was released on 18 July 2001 from Insein jail (Rangoon). Her daughter and collaborators of Aung San Suu Kyi confirmed to the Reporters Sans Frontières correspondent the release of San San Nweh and ten other NLD members, including three members of Parliament elected in May 1990, and Doctor Aung Khin Sint.
San San Nweh has been imprisoned since 5 August 1994 in the women’s building of Insein jail. She was sentenced on 6 October 1994 to ten years in prison for “producing and sending anti-government reports to international radio stations and foreign journalists passing through the country.”
Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) welcomes the release of the winner of the 1999 Reporters Sans Frontières Fondation de France Prize, but regrets that it happened so late.
– First of all, the journalist was a prisoner of conscience held only because of her opinions and writings, and not because she “produced and sent anti-government reports in order to create trouble,” as she was accused by Burmese authorities.
– But also because her health suffered during her detention. Despite the calls of RSF, of her “media sponsors” and of thousands of people who signed petitions for her release, San San Nweh was refused treatment for several diseases she suffered in her filthy cell: high blood pressure, a kidney infection, thrombocytopenia, etc.
Today, Wednesday 18 July 2001, according to RSF, at least twelve journalists are still in jail in Burma. The organisation is very worried about the situation of Sein Hla Oo, who suffered a heart attack last year in Myitkyina jail (north of the country). He recently underwent surgery for a hernia. Journalist and NLD leader Win Tin has been held in Insein since 4 July 1989, and has been severely weakened by several diseases.
Following an investigative mission in Thailand, RSF will soon publish a report about the situation of jailed journalists in Burma.
