Popular comedian Zarganar, who has been imprisoned since June 2008 for helping survivors of Cyclone Nargis, is in urgent need of medical attention for his various health problems. He is now understood to be receiving some medication from the authorities, though it is unclear what type he is receiving. Zarganar now urgently needs proper medical treatment in a hospital, with his condition continually monitored by doctors.
He has been in Myitkyina Prison, in the northern Kachin State, since November 2008. He lost consciousness in his cell for more than two hours on 16 April, and was only taken to Myitkyina hospital 10 days later. At that time doctors found that he had high blood pressure, spondylitis (inflammation of the joints of the spine) and an enlarged heart. Blood samples were taken, and tested at a larger hospital: these showed that he has developed hyperthyroidism (overactivity of the thyroid gland, which can cause heart problems). Zarganar has had a history of high blood pressure and stomach complaints which began before he was imprisoned.
Zarganar is serving a 35-year prison sentence for leading a movement that collected money and supplies for the survivors of Cyclone Nargis, which hit Myanmar on 2-3 May 2008. He was arrested on 4 June of that year, after he criticised the government’s handling of the cyclone relief situation in interviews with foreign journalists. Zarganar, who had joined the 1988 uprising against military rule, had been previously arrested for his pro-democracy efforts.
Zarganar is one of 21 people still behind bars for their independent post-cyclone relief efforts. All of them were arrested for delivering aid to the victims, for reporting on the cyclone, and even for burying the dead.
Amnesty International Index: ASA 16/003/2009 also, Pen Canada Appeal