The Political Prisoners Network (Myanmar) announced yesterday (March 16th) that 24 political prisoners in Insein Central Prison, Yangon Region, have been shackled at their feet and forced to do hard labor for more than 130 days.
Mr. Thaik Tun Oo, a member of the Head Committee of the Political Prisoners Network (Myanmar), said that they have been shackled at their feet until today (March 17th) on the pretext of holding illegal items since November 5th.
“They (the prison authorities) beat political prisoners on the pretext of holding illegal items such as paper and pens in prison. Currently, the political prisoners are being forced to do hard labor while being shackled at their feet. The junta is implementing slavery system in the prisons. We would like to inform people that inhumane forced labor which is not found in the prisons of any other country is being practiced in Myanmar’s prisons,” said Thaik Tun Oo.
He further explained that 24 political prisoners, including Htin Kyaw, Zaw Naing Tun, Myo Min Oo, Bala Gyi, Ye Min Htwe, Chan Myae Ko Ko, Hla Oo Maung, Wai Min Aung and Kyaw Thet, were beaten by the prison authorities while being covered with hoods over their faces and handcuffed behind their backs, and they were held in solitary confinement for three months.
It is reported that there were inmates who were injured due to the beatings, but only those whose lives were in danger received medical treatment, while the rest of the political prisoners did not receive medical treatment.
“The inmates were handcuffed on their backs. The head was covered up with a hood. Since they were beaten in the beginning, it was impossible to know who was beating them. They had injuries and lacerations. Not everyone can get medical treatment. Only those with very serious conditions are given medical treatment,” said a person close to Insein Prison.
“It can be said that the inmates can be labeled as carrying illegal items just by holding a piece of paper and a pen. Since the coup, the right to hold paper and pens has been banned in prisons. Even during the colonial days, it was possible to write in prisons – papers and pens. Now this is like a crime. It can lead to beatings and solitary confinement,” said a former political prisoner who was released from Myingyan Prison.
The Political Prisoners Network (Myanmar) announced that the losses of prisoners’ rights and human rights in prisons across Myanmar have risen and are getting worse than before, should be aware.