JURIST - Paper Chase: Detained Myanmar dissidents go on hunger strike

[JURIST] Some protesters being detained by authorities in Myanmar [JURIST news archive] have begun a hunger strike, demanding that police camp officials provide medical treatment a fellow detainee with a broken leg, prominent labor rights activist Suu Suu Nway [AHRC backgrounder] said Friday. Nway said the man, whose leg was broken during an a anti-government protest march [AHN News report] Tuesday, is being detained in a police camp and has not received proper medical care. The Washington Post has more.

Tuesday's marches followed demonstrations last week in which 60 demonstrators were arrested for participating in a peaceful protest against a recent rise in fuel prices. On Monday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour [official website] issued a statement urging Myanmar [JURIST report] to immediately release those demonstrators, saying that allowing citizens to peacefully express themselves will help foster both democracy and reconciliation in Myanmar. In June, the United States renewed pressure [JURIST report] on the nation to release democracy advocate and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi [advocacy website] while the International Committee of the Red Cross denounced "violations of international humanitarian law" [press release] committed by the Myanmar government against citizens and detainees.

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