The Myanmar Military Junta is reportedly re-collecting personal data from prisoners across its detention facilities nationwide, according to the Political Prisoners Network-Myanmar (PPNM).
Since September, prison authorities have been gathering detailed personal information from inmates, including names, parent names, ages, ID numbers, home addresses, and marital status. PPNM reported on October 28 that data collection methods differ between prisons.
Political prisoners have expressed concerns, noting that a comprehensive set of 32 personal details is already collected upon their entry to prison. They worry that the additional data collection could be used for political purposes, especially since the Military Junta is conducting a nationwide census ahead of planned elections. Although prisoners lack voting rights, there are fears of potential election manipulation or forced military conscription.
The PPNM spokesperson Ko Thike Tun Oo said, “We’re seeing at least seven to eight questions asked, varying between prisons. Even if an election takes place, prisoners remain excluded. This re-collection raises suspicions that their data might be used to serve the Junta’s political interests.”
Data collection, resembling a census, is reportedly occurring in over ten prisons, though specific prisons have yet to be confirmed.
The Military Junta’s Department of Corrections appears to be pursuing a comprehensive data set of all prisoners nationwide.
Additionally, census collection teams are gathering data not only from homes and monasteries but also within prisons and detention centers, as the census period initially set from October 1 to 15 has now been extended to October 31 to cover missed areas.
