Officials from the Prison Department have been pressuring and demanding money from political prisoners transferred to Thayarwaddy Prison in Bago Region, according to the Political Prisoners Network – Myanmar (PPNM).
The statement said 100 political prisoners were transferred from Taungoo Prison to Thayarwaddy Prison during the second week of August.
PPNM said Prison Department officials Pyae Phyo Aung and Than Win have been pressuring each prisoner to pay 300,000 kyats, claiming the payment would allow them to receive easier work assignments and live more comfortably inside the prison.
Political prisoners who are unable to pay the requested money have reportedly been forced to perform unwanted work, including carrying and cleaning sewage water, as well as farm work, according to PPNM.
PPNM said prison authorities and Prison Department staff were abusing their authority for personal financial gain by forcibly demanding money from political prisoners and pressuring those unable to pay by assigning them hard labor.
Such practices violate prisoners’ basic rights and human dignity, PPNM said.
The network strongly condemned and opposed the alleged forced collection of money from political prisoners and the use of hard labor to pressure those who cannot afford to pay.
