Political prisoners, particularly women, continue to face severe human rights abuses in Myanmar’s prisons under the military junta, according to a report by the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM). Women arrested for their involvement in political movements are subjected to mistreatment, including beatings and food deprivation, while in custody.
A PPNM official revealed that many detainees, especially those held in solitary confinement, have suffered physical abuse during interrogations and, in some cases, have died under suspicious circumstances, with their deaths going unreported.
In mid-June, approximately 40 political prisoners from Kyaikmarraw Prison were transferred to Daik-U Prison. During the transfer, seven prisoners, including three from Kyaikmarraw, were severely beaten by prison guards, resulting in injuries.
“From the moment they are arrested, these women are charged with crimes, despite not having been formally convicted. They face beatings even before their court hearings, and many are subjected to harsh interrogations by military intelligence. Some prisoners die during these interrogations, their deaths hidden from public knowledge,” said the PPNM representative.
Kyaikmarraw Prison currently holds around 200 female political prisoners, including 10 in military intelligence custody and two at local police stations, according to PPNM sources.
Since the military coup in 2021, a total of 5,649 women have been arrested on political grounds, and 1,132 women have been killed, according to a report released by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) on September 1. The report further revealed that eight prisoners died in military-run prisons, two at police stations, and four while in military intelligence custody.
In June, more than 80 political prisoners were beaten by prison officials at Daik-U Prison, leaving five women injured and over 30 placed in solitary confinement.
