12 Myanmar political prisoners die inside jails due to lack of medical care since 1 January

Lu Htet Naing, Narinjara News, 2 October 2024

At least 12 political prisoners died in the last nine months inside jails due to inadequate medical care to prisoners across Myanmar, said the Political Prisoners Network - Myanmar (PPNM).

“Due to insufficient medical care in the prisons, 12 individuals died from 1 January  to 30 September. The victims  include two female political prisoners and one police officer, who joined the civil disobedience movement (CDM),” added the PPNM in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Ko Ra Shin (43 years old, also known as Ha Shin),  who was sentenced for life imprisonment under section 54 and 52(a), died in Kyaikmaraw jail on 12 January due to  lack of proper medical attention following an internal injury sustained during the interrogation.

Similarly, Ko Pyae Phyo Aung (31), who was sentenced to seven years in prison under section 52(a), died in Kyaikmaraw jail  on 16 January due to negligence of the prison doctors as he was suffering from abdominal pain.

Ma Su May Aung (22), who was sentenced to 15 years in prison under section 50(j), died in Magway jail  on 22 January  from liver and lung ailments.

Ko Kyi Ya Aung (45), who was sentenced to 14 years in prison under sections 505(a), 52(a), and 50(j), died in Kale jail on 23  January due to negligence of the attending doctors.

Ma Yin Moe (35) died of kidney ailments in Obo jail of Mandalay on 4 February while serving a six-year sentence under section 505(a).

U Aye Win (68), who was sentenced to eight years in Daik-U jail under sections 505 and 124, also passed away.

In Daik-U jail, U Khin Soe (64), who was sentenced to 14 years under sections 52(a) and 50(j), died on 6 March due to inadequate medical care following abdominal pain and internal injuries sustained during the interrogation.

Ko Lin Lin Tun (32, also known as Lewe), who was imprisoned under section 50(j) in Daik-U jail, died on 11 May.

Ko Nyi Nyi (39), who was imprisoned under sections 52(a) and 51(c) in Thayet jail, died on 27 July after suffering from  hypertension.

Ko Nay Lin Htike (45), who was imprisoned under sections 505(a) and 52(a) in Insein jail, died due to inadequate medical care.

A police officer who joined the CDM and later was arrested under the Police Force Discipline Enforcement Law died in Thayet jail on 28 August as the doctors did not arrive on time during a medical emergency.

U Thant Zin (57), who was imprisoned in Thaton jail, died of asthma in October due to a lack of sufficient medical care.

The PPNM's statement noted that the inmates in Myanmar prisons, where many deaths took place, often face conditions similar to those on the battlefields.

The statement also highlighted that the prison hospitals lack adequate medicines and doctors and those only serve as temporary stoppages for the political prisoners before their final departure.

Photograph: PPNM