They are Khun Htun Oo, Chairman of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), the second winning party in 1990 elections, his secretary Sai Nyunt Lwin, Sai Hla Aung, Maj-Gen Hso Hten, leader of Shan State Army (former ceasefire SSA), Sai Nyi Nyi Moe, Sai Htun Nyo and Sai Myo Win Htun.

“Among them, Khun Htun Oo appears to be the strongest spiritually even though his health condition is the worst,” said a source close to the families.

Khun Htun Oo has been suffering from bladder distention, peptic ulcer and arthritis both hands and knees and legs swelling due to lack adequate exercise and regular medical treatment.  “He wakes up at least 10 times every night to urinate, when it is raining or very cold, disturbing his sleeping hours,” a source said.

Sai Myo Win Htun, on the other hand, is suffering seriously from mental illness two years after his imprisonment. “Every time his conditions get worse, he is sent to the prison hospital by prison authorities. We are worried he won’t be cured,” a family member said.

According to the latest information which came last month, he was still under treatment in the prison hospital. “Apart from him, everyone else seems still to be mentally sound,” said the source close to the families.

Among the rest; Sai Nyunt Lwin, 60, is using dentures after losing all of his teeth. He and Sai Nyi Nyi Moe are also suffering from hemorrhoids while Maj- Gen Hso Ten and Sai Hla Aung have high blood pressure.

“As for Tun Nyo, what he needs is healthy food,” said the source close to the families. “But his family, made up of his sister, niece and nephew-in-law, who are not well-to-do, are not able to help much though they are allowed to visit him 3 times a year.”

They were imprisoned by the junta authorities in 2005 on charges of defamation of the state, association with illegal parties and conspiracy against the state. They were separately imprisoned at the following places:

    Maj-Gen Hso Ten       106 years reduced to  105 years            Sittwe prison, Arakan State
    Hkun Tun Oo              93 years                       92 years               Putao, Kachin State
    Sai Nyunt Lwin           85 years                       80 years                Kalay, Sagaing division
    Sai Hla Aung              79 years                       78 years                Kyaukphyu prison
    U Tun Nyo                   79 years                       78 years                Buthidaung prison
    U Nyi Nyi Moe             79 years                       78 years                Pakokku prison
    Sai Myo Win Tun        79 years                       78 years                Myingyan prison
    U Myint Than               79 years                       78 years               Sandoway prison (died 2006)