Ashin Gambhira - Saffron Revolution

U Gambhira still denied ID Card.

(RANGOON) - This letter expresses our concern about U Gambhira’s (Ko Nyi Nyi Lwin) health and continued denial of specialized medical treatment. The conditions of U Gambhira’s four-year imprisonment caused illnesses for which he continues to suffer one year after his initial conditional release.

<Ashin Gambhira

Myanmar doctors have refused to treat U Gambhira. Finally, an international specialist came to Myanmar and medical evaluated U Gambhira. This specialist determined that U Gambhira suffers from the affects of specific trauma. In the meantime, treatment specific to U Gambhira’s trauma is not available in Myanmar but has been arranged outside Myanmar.

U Gambhira honors the Myanmar legal system and will only travel to outside Myanmar legally. In order to apply for a passport, Myanmar citizens must have a national identity card. Since June 2012, U Gambhira, his mother, Daw Yay, and brother, Maung Maung have each made multiple attempts to secure the return of U Gambhira’s national identity card, which government authorities confiscated. Yet, it is January 2013 and U Gambhira’s confiscated national identity card has not been returned. Therefore, U Gambhira is unable to apply for a passport, receive medical treatment and live without suffering.

Ex-political prisoners, like U Gambhira, who have been released in a show of Myanmar government democratic transformation, have less freedoms compared to other citizens. The prolonged retention of U Gambhira’s legal document has signaled a continuation of the repressive practices from the period of military rule. U Gambira has been subjected to constant harassment and abuse since his release from prison in January 2012. He has been re-arrested and conditionally released three times since January 2012.

We ask the Myanmar government to exercise democratic reform by honoring U Gambhira’s human and civil rights, immediately return his national identity card and promptly issue him a passport upon completed application.

Sincerely, Friends of U Gambhira