Hkun Htun Oo (66), detained chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), Burma’s second largest winning party in the 1990 elections, is reported to be in a serious health condition, according to Sai Lake, the party’s spokesperson.

He has been suffering from bladder distention, peptic ulcer and arthritis both in the hands and knees. Due to his bladder problem, he had to get up at least ten times every half an hour in a night, he said.  

“It is difficult for him to move easily as he is getting older,” he quoted one of his family members as saying. “We are worried about his condition even though he tries his best not to worry us.”

In April, the leader was suffering from swelling in the legs due to lack of adequate exercise and regular medical treatment. However, he is still not permitted to get medical checkups outside, even though the family has applied for access to medical checks outside several times because there is no health service that reaches his place, Putao, the northernmost town in Burma. He was only allowed to receive oral treatment, according to a member of his family.
Hkun Htun Oo

His wife was reported to have visited him on December 4 to December 15, but she was only allowed to meet him once for 30 minutes. Before the family was allowed to visit him twice a month, but now the family is only allowed to visit him only twice a year.    

“Furthermore, the family is not aware whether the medicine they sent him suits his situation or not because medicines were only allowed to pass in a basket by a little door and there was not enough time to ask for details,” the spokesperson said.

“It could be because there is a change of jail warden. If not, it might be because of a new order from the top to limit visits to him,” he said.  

There were many difficulties and challenges for the family visiting his place apart from the limited visiting time like difficulty in getting air tickets and sometimes flight cancellations or delays, according to the family.

Hkun Htun Oo was sentenced to 93 year  in prison in Putao on 3 November 2005 along with seven other Shan leaders for defamation of the state, association with illegal parties and conspiracy against the state.

However, he has not changed his political stand despites his serious condition. He is still convinced he is treading the right path, said the spokesperson.

“Nevertheless, he is still a chairman of the SNLD party, a member of the ‘Committee Representing People’s Parliament’ (CRPP) and still recognized as an advisor to the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA),” he said.

He was also said to have kept encouraging all his party members to be strong, keep working on what they believe in and not to give up even though most of the leaders are in jail.

The seven other detained Shan leaders are:
•           Maj-Gen Hso Ten                             106 years                       Khamti prison
•           Sai Nyunt Lwin                                  85 year                         Kalay, Sagaing division
•           Sai Hla Aung                                      79 years                       Kyaukphyu prison
•           U Myint Than                                     79 years                       Sandoway prison (died 2006)
•           U Tun Nyo                                          79 years                       Buthidaung prison
•           U Nyi Nyi Moe                                   79 years                       Pakokku prison
•           Sai Myo Win Tun                                79 years                      Myingyan prison

The other one, Sao Oo Kya, elder brother of Khun Htun Oo, was released with other over 7000 prisoners freed by the junta on 18 September.