New Delhi – Families of about 50 political prisoners today collectively demanded permission to be present at court proceedings and be allowed regular prison interviews with prisoners.
Earlier, the families were allowed to meet political prisoners thrice a week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays but now it has been reduced to twice a week on Saturdays and Sundays. Family members are not allowed to be present during court proceedings. The demand surfaced because of the restrictions.
"All the mothers of political prisoners gathered in Insein prison today at about 9 a.m. Ko Min Ko Naing's elder sister also came and joined us. We demanded that we be allowed to be present during court proceedings and be permitted regular prison interviews as earlier," a mother of a political prisoner said on condition of anonymity.
Though they made the demand through a prison official every hour, the prison administrative authorities refused to accept their demand.
"We are not scared. First we made this demand verbally and then we will make it in writing and send it to the Prison Department authorities and continue until our demands are met," she added.
"I feel sorry and disappointed. I brought food for my son and have something to tell him. His eyes were red and I am worried about it. Previously I could check the condition of his eyes closely. Now I have lost this opportunity," she said. But a prison official claimed that letting family members present during court proceedings hamper hearing of the case.
Meanwhile advocate U Aung Thein who is the defence counsel for monk U Gambira who led the saffron revolution and 10 others announced that he would no longer represent them because the trial is nor fair trial because of the judges.
"They forced me to present a 13-page argument instantly in the case of U Gambira and the 10. Then I withdrew the criminal power in the case with the consent of all the 11 accused. But I will continue to represent in 15 other cases against U Gambira," U Aung Thein said.
