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NCGUB Statement on Death in Custody
- Subject: NCGUB Statement on Death in Custody
- From: maung@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 08:53:00
NATIONAL COALITION GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF BURMA
815 Fifteenth Street NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20005
--------------------------------------------------------
DEATH IN CUSTODY - LEO NICHOLS
Leo Nichols, 65, who served as honourary consul for Norway and
contact person for Denmark and Sweden, died on 22 June at 11
a.m. at the Rangoon General Hospital. He was buried on 23 Jnne
at 2 p.m. at Saw Ba Gyi Christian cemetery near Insein Prison.
Friends and family were told not to attend the funeral, About 40
persons, mostly military intelligence agents, were present at
the cemetery.
Friends are planning to hold a Roman Catholic memorial service
for 'Uncle Leo' next Saturday but have not yet received
permission to do so from the State Law and Order Restoration
Council.
Cause of death according to a SLORC ordered autopsy was cerebral
haemorrhage. 'Uncle Leo', a prominent businessman was arrested
in early April for allegedly using telephones and fax machines
without the permission of authorities. He was sentenced to 3
years imprisonment on 18 May. It is known that 'Uncle Leo' was
kept in solitary confinement from the time of his arrest.
Although he suffered from a heart condition, he was denied his
medication all the time he was in custody. Leo Nichols was
transferred from solitary confinement to an ordinary cell on 20
June. He was transferred to the prison hospital on 21 June and
the next day to Rangoon General Hospital where he died 1 hour
after his arrival
'Uncle Leo' was a close friend of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's family
but had no formal ties with the NLD. According to NLD sources,
'Uncle Leo', on occasion lent Daw Aung San Suu Kyi the use of
his car.
SLORC cannot deny responsibility for the death in custody of Leo
Nichols. Whatever the cause of his death, SLORC is responsible.
SLORC has no excuse for denying a 65-year old man medical
attention while in custody, whatever his alleged crime.
Leo Nichols' arrest for using 'illegal fax machines' for his
business, his solitary confinement, his denial of medical
attention while in custody, his 3-year prison sentence, his
death and burial without benefit of friends and family, all
serve to underline the essential lawlessness of the military
regime that is currently ruling Burma against the expressed wish
of her people.
The National Coalition Government once again calls on the
international community to step up action against SLORC before
the lawless situation in Burma deteriorates further.
For more information, Telephone: 1(202) 393-7342