Political prisoner Ko Zaw Min Oo died in Monywa Prison, Sagaing Region, after prison authorities refused to provide medical treatment or transfer him to a hospital when he experienced severe respiratory distress, according to political prisoner circles. On the evening of September 2, Ko Zaw Min Oo, age 38, began experiencing difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. His fellow inmates repeatedly requested medical treatment and hospital transfer for him, but prison authorities completely refused these requests. He subsequently died from respiratory failure at around 1:30 AM on September 3.
Reports indicate that both political prisoners and ordinary inmates at Monywa Prison are dying due to complete lack of medical care, and when prisoners die, their families are not even notified. The number of deaths due to lack of medical treatment is increasing monthly, and prisoners suffering from illnesses are left with no option but to wait for death, according to political prisoner circles. The situation has created an atmosphere of helplessness among sick inmates who have no access to proper healthcare.
Additionally, there is systematic oppression of political prisoners in Monywa Prison, with criminal inmates particularly abusing and harassing political prisoners while prison authorities turn a blind eye. The authorities are even reported to give preferential treatment to criminal inmates who engage in such abuse. LGBT political prisoners face particular discrimination and sexual harassment, with prison authorities openly allowing and enabling criminal inmates to sexually harass and discriminate against them. Political prisoner support groups have revealed that these abusive practices are being carried out with the full knowledge and implicit support of prison authorities, who continue to empower the criminal inmates who perpetrate these acts.
