U Gambira , a Buddhist monk imprisoned in Myanmar because of his role in anti-government protests in 2007, is seriously ill in prison. Amnesty International has recently received information that his injuries result ed from torture he suffered in 2009. He urgently needs to be transferred to a hospital and treated for his injuries.

U Gambira is held in solitary confinement in Kale prison, northern Myanmar. Some former prisoners who were able to visit him reported that he has difficulty speaking, and that he has scars and marks on his hands, arms and body. In addition, U Gambira is reported to suffer from very severe headaches several times a week, which cause him to cry out in pain. When this happens, prison guards administer an injection, which results in U Gambira falling asleep for about five hours. When he wakes up he is in a daze and finds it very difficult to speak. There is concern that U Gambira is being injected with drugs rather than being treated for his injuries. He is not thought to have received any appropriate treatment since he was tortured. The former prisoners asked authorities at Kale prison to send U Gambira to hospital for treatment. Amnesty International has learned that a former prison official has also written to the authorities calling for U Gambira to receive medical treatment and expressed his fear that the injections administered to U Gambira may be harmful.

U Gambira is believed to have been tortured in April 2009, when he was held in Hkamti prison, north of Kale. Reports suggest he was tortured after requesting permission to exercise. Prison guards shackled him and handcuffed him to a chair, stuffed a cloth in his mouth, and placed a black cloth bag over his head. They then beat him on the head with a stick. U Gambira is reported to have been left handcuffed to the chair for extended periods during which time he was spoon-fed by the guards. He was transferred to Kale Prison on 12 May 2009.

Please write immediately in English or your own language:

  • Calling for U Gambira to be admitted to hospital immediately for a full and independent medical examination, and for him to be given all necessary medical treatment;
  • Calling for U Gambira to be released immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely as a result of his peaceful activism;
  • Urging the authorities to conduct a full and impartial investigation into the reports that U Gambira was tortured, with the results made public and those responsible brought to justice;
  • Note that torture and other forms of ill-treatment are absolutely prohibited under international law.

2011.10.31 Amnesty International - Burmese monk needs urgent medical care: U Gambira