Political prisoners in Myingyan Prison were beaten, shackled, and placed in solitary confinement for reciting poems in commemoration of Aung San Suu Kyi’s birthday, according to Ko Thaik Tun Oo, a central committee member of the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM). The incident, which occurred on June 19, has resulted in the continued isolation of these political prisoners, who have been denied medical treatment for injuries sustained from the beatings by prison authorities. Additionally, they have been barred from receiving family visits and care packages.
Prison authorities constantly monitor political prisoners’ activities, seeking opportunities for oppression, and respond particularly harshly to any activities related to Aung San Suu Kyi. In this case, although the prisoners’ poetry recitation neither violated prison regulations nor compromised prison security, the authorities imposed punishment using unjustified pretexts. The prison staff’s actions demonstrate a pattern of excessive force and rights violations against political prisoners, particularly concerning any expressions of support for Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Political Prisoners Network Myanmar has declared that they will pursue justice against the prison staff responsible for these human rights violations when the opportunity arises. The conditions within the prison have reportedly deteriorated, with increasing oppression against political prisoners, especially concerning any activities related to Aung San Suu Kyi. The prison authorities have implemented extremely strict prohibitions on any actions or expressions associated with her, reflecting the broader pattern of persecution against political prisoners in Myanmar’s detention facilities.
