Political prisoner U Pyae Sone Aung, an executive member of the National League for Democracy (NLD) from Bilin Township, suddenly passed away in Thaton Prison, Mon State, and prison authorities hastily cremated his body on the same day without consulting family members. According to sources close to the deceased, U Pyae Sone Aung began experiencing respiratory distress around 11 AM and died within the prison at approximately 1 PM on July 19. Prison authorities proceeded with cremation at 4:52 PM the same evening, without conducting any autopsy or medical investigation into the cause of death.
U Pyae Sone Aung, aged 44, served as the Information and Public Relations Officer for the NLD in Bilin Township. Following the military coup, he was charged under multiple political sections, including Section 505(a), and was serving a 6-year prison sentence. His sudden death and the prison authorities’ rushed cremation have raised serious concerns among family members and the local community. The family has announced that they will hold a memorial service at their residence in Bilin Township on July 25.
This incident highlights the dire conditions faced by political prisoners in Myanmar’s detention facilities. The lack of adequate healthcare, violations of basic human rights, and restrictions on family visits continue to put the lives of political prisoners at risk. The case of U Pyae Sone Aung represents yet another example of the severe circumstances endured by political detainees under the current military regime, where proper medical care and basic rights are routinely denied. The hasty cremation without family consultation or proper investigation into the cause of death raises questions about transparency and accountability within the prison system.
