Dear friends,

Unfortunately we have some very troubling news to share about the physical and mental condition of Burmese monk Ashin Gambira, one of the main organizers of the Saffron Revolution and a leader of the All Burma Monks' Alliance (ABMA), who is currently serving a 63-year sentence in Kalay Prison, Sagaing Division, for his role in the peaceful uprising of 2007.

As some of you may have read in recent news reports, Ashin Gambira is suffering from the combined effects of long-term solitary confinement (he has not been allowed outside of his solitary cell since May 2009!), frequent beatings, complete lack of proper medical care, and very poor nutrition. His condition is worsening and seems to be quite precarious. In late 2009 he was reported to have contracted malaria, but has never received proper treatment for this condition. He also suffers from bronchitis.

Fellow inmates who were recently released from Kalay Prison have related to international human rights organizations that the monk "suffers from fits, in which he frequently cries out in pain and clutches at his head. The prison authorities then have to hold him down to administer a drug via injection, perhaps a sedative, after which he goes quiet and falls unconscious." Even after he has regained his consciousness, he is unable to communicate properly. A nurse has noted that this could be the result of brain damage sustained after severe beatings.

In the past few days, we have received even more alarming details about Ashin Gambira's physical and mental condition (see below for details & report of communication with the sister and mother of U Gambira). We do not yet have permission to make all of information public and are waiting for the IS of Amnesty International to issue an Urgent Action. However, we are gravely concerned for the health and well-being of Ashin Gambira. It is very frustrating to feel powerless to do anything to help Ashin Gambira, a man who has done nothing to deserve the imprisonment, severe beatings, and torture he is receiving.

Therefore, we refuse to accept that we are powerless. What we all can do is send a message to the Kalay Prison authorities and the Burmese regime calling for an immediate end to the abhorrent treatment Ashin Gambira is subject to and demanding that he be given proper and sufficient medical treatment.

The Best Friend has organized a Candle Vigil Action for this Monday 31 October that anyone, anywhere in the world can participate in. To raise awareness about Ashin Gambira and all political prisoners in Burma, we ask you to Light a Candle for Ashin Gambira. Meet with friends in public, or light a candle at home. Then upload a photo yourself with the candle, or just the candle, to the Facebookevent page to show your support. Please also upload the photo to your own Facebook page or other social media outlet along with information about Ashin Gambira. You can also send your photos to us and we will pass them along.

For the sake of all political prisoners in Burma, please let the regime know that you are deeply concerned about Ashin Gambira, and are paying close attention to this situation, and act now!

1) Send a letter to the President of the Union of Myanmar, U Thein Sein>> (download example letter )

2) Write a message of support to Ashin Gambira and his family as a comment. We will deliver the messages to U Gambira's sister, she will give the messages to her family. You can send your message to Elke (elke@thebestfriend.org) Shirley (theo.schaik@planet.nl), Saskia (saskia@burmacentrum.nl) or Anja (anja_dijk@versatel.nl)

3) Visit U Gambira's facebook page >>

Download here the Urgent Action of Amnesty International.

U Gambira's sister opened this page for her brother

Warm wishes,

Saskia, Shirley, Elke and Anja

Report

We have spoken 28 october 2011 to the sister of U Gambira. Telephone lines are cut constantly inside Myanmar, but she has managed to talk to her mother after she visited her son in Kalay Prison that same day. Here is the report:

· Gambira is in solitary confinement Kalay Prison since May 2009!
· Shortly before his transfer to Kalay Prison Gambira was beaten on his head several times, everytime for 15 minutes constantly
· Shortly before his transfer, he was gauged with cloth in his mouth to prevent him from talking & protesting
· While in Kamti prison, he was tied onto a chair, where he was fed with a spoon. He had to defecate himself on the same chair while being tied.
· Since the beatings in Kamti prison, he is suffering ongoing unbearable headaches.
· During the visit of his mother (first in 4 months) he has been crying constantly
· He can't talk properly, his mouth seems to be uncontrolled (as a nurse I would say that seems like brain damage after severe beating)
· His weight has not diminished a lot, but his arms are without strength.
· He can't sleep at night due to the severe headaches
· His eye-sight is not clear
· Sometimes he bounces with his fists against the wall out of frustration and because he feels he is going insane. Sometimes he walks rounds to prevent him from 'going insane' in his own words. He tries to meditate, but he can't.
· When asked if he was medicated under force, his reaction was to cry severely. He told his mother that every time he runs 'mad' he is being medicated with a sedative under force.
· On 12 October 2011, when there were prisoners being released and he was not one of them, he had a sort of nervous breakdown, shouted and screamed; he then was sedated by injection after which he fell unconscious.
· He has asked to see a doctor, which was denied. A nurse has seen him.
· He is being denied outside his solitary cell, so no outside air, always confined to his cell.
· He is not allowed to wear his monk's robe, he is wearing white prison cloths
· Today, his mother brought a blanket and a pillow. Gambira is sleeping on the floor. The pillow was denied/not allowed. He now uses the blanket his mother gave him to sleep on.
· The food is not sufficient/healthy enough. His mother today brought a package of food with her.
· The travel to Kalay prison is expensive. Gambira's mother is a poor woman, she can only afford incidentally (last time was 4 months ago). Gambira is allowed one visit per month. Packages with food etc. can be sent once every week.