RANGOON — The local court in Thayawady Township, Pegu Division, continues to deny two detained education activists bail, despite their deteriorating health since they were jailed for involvement in protests against Burma’s controversial National Education Law in March 2015.
This is the second time student protestor Htein Lin Aung and supporter Mya Gyi have seen their requests for bail denied by the court. They are among five detainees who have been receiving medical treatment at Rangoon General Hospital for ailments, and the five will continue to receive treatment as their conditions are described as at-risk.
“Ko Htein Lin Aung was denied bail, and the court said that we need to submit the doctor’s signature attesting to his need for further medical treatment. In fact, we’ve already submitted the medical records signed by the medical superintendent of Rangoon Hospital. We’ll appeal to the district court,” said Aye Aye Khaing, a relative of Htein Lin Aung.
Htein Lin Aung is suffering from an intestinal infection for which he requires continued medication, while X-rays show that Mya Gyi sustained injuries to his skull and jaw, and is reportedly suffering from numbness.
Min Thway Thit, another one of the five students receiving medical treatment in Rangoon, told The Irrawaddy that the ailing quintet would all require continued hospitalization, and were being told by authorities that they would not be allowed re-admission to Rangoon General Hospital if they returned to their cells at Thayawady Prison only to see their health deteriorate further.
Protests against the National Education Law were staged for months before police launched a crackdown on the main column of demonstrators at Letpadan in Pegu Division on March 10. Police arrested more than 100 student protestors and their supporters in the crackdown.
Ten months on, there have been more than 30 hearings and about 50 demonstrators continue to stand trial. The next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19.
