Lu Htet Naing, NarinjaraNews, 2 October 2024

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

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

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

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

Ma Su May Aung (22), who wassentenced 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 wassentenced to 14 years in prison under sections 505(a), 52(a), and 50(j), diedin Kale jail on 23  January due to negligence of the attending doctors.

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

U Aye Win (68), who wassentenced to eight years in Daik-U jail under sections 505 and 124, also passedaway.

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

Ko Lin Lin Tun (32, alsoknown as Lewe), who was imprisoned under section 50(j) in Daik-U jail, died on11 May.

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

Ko Nay Lin Htike (45), whowas imprisoned under sections 505(a) and 52(a) in Insein jail, died due toinadequate medical care.

A police officer who joinedthe CDM and later was arrested under the Police Force Discipline EnforcementLaw died in Thayet jail on 28 August as the doctors did not arrive on timeduring a medical emergency.

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

The PPNM's statement notedthat the inmates in Myanmar prisons, where many deaths took place, often faceconditions similar to those on the battlefields.

The statement alsohighlighted that the prison hospitals lack adequate medicines and doctors andthose only serve as temporary stoppages for the political prisoners beforetheir final departure.

Photograph: PPNM