The Political Prisoner Network of Myanmar announced on February 9 that the political prisoners in Kyaikmaraw prison in Mon State _ are on hunger strike after not receiving their requested demands from the Correction Department.
The political prisoners have reportedly launched a hunger strike since February 6 because prison staff in Kyaikmaraw prison _ investigated the prisoners after conducting searches in the prison on February 4.
“The police, military and joint forces searched and inspected all the prisoners in Kyaikmaraw prison on January 28. At that time, there was no problem. But they forcibly arrested and took away prisoners on February 4, saying that they found a phone in the case of a January search. That’s why, the prisoners have been on hunger strike from February 6 until now, since they were unable to present their concerns and requests to the prison authorities,” said Ko Theik Tun Oo, a member of the Political Prisoners Network of Myanmar.
The health condition of the prisoners who are on hunger strike has reportedly worsened due to the lack of adequate health care in Kyaikmaraw Prison.
“Currently, the health of the prisoners is in bad condition. The Kyaikmaraw prison is the worst ever, and that’s why we are worried. We know that all prisoners will go on hunger strike until they get their demands,” said a person close to Kyaikmaraw prison.
“There are 47 political prisoners who are on hunger strike in Kyaikmaraw Prison and 164 prisoners who will join the hunger strike, so I wish to accede to the prisoners’ demands as their health conditions and lives are in danger,” he added.
The political prisoners in Kyaikmaraw prison are launching a hunger strike for the demands _ that it is not causing extrajudicial actions, human rights compliance and easy access to health care during the investigation and the punishment period.
Additionally, the prisoners’ demands over the hunger strike are to check the daily health of 2 prisoners from dormitory No.3 and to transfer those two to another suitable place other than the solitary confinement place in prison; to return those arrested prisoners to the dormitory of original residence once the investigations are completed; and to investigate those only when the prison is opened if interrogation will do.