By Nway / MPA
Reports indicate that female political prisoners in Daik-U Prison, Bago Region, were violently beaten by prison staff.
On August 19, at around 3:30 PM, prison staff claimed that contraband was found in a package delivered to a female political prisoner by her family. Subsequently, 57 prison staff forcibly attempted to take the prisoner, who resisted. The staff then dragged her by the hair and beat her. When other political prisoners intervened, the staff beat them as well, according to a statement from the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM).
“They claimed there were illegal items in the package sent by the family. Without any evidence, they started to take and beat them. About seven female political prisoners were injured,” Ko Thike Htun Oo, a steering committee member of PPNM, told MPA.
The injured female political prisoners had previously been transferred from Kyaikmaraw and Insein Prisons.
“The situation needs to be closely monitored. As of last evening, the female political prisoners were staying together in their cells and had not come out. They still haven’t received medical treatment,” Ko Thike Htun Oo added.
According to a political prisoner based in Yangon, prisoners are only allowed to receive items permitted by the prison authorities when their family members visit and send packages.
“When talking with family members, it must be done in front of the prison staff. Every item delivered is thoroughly checked to ensure it’s allowed. For political prisoners, they inspect everything very carefully. It’s nearly impossible to smuggle in prohibited items through packages,” the prisoner explained.
The prisoner further mentioned that bringing unauthorized items into the prison usually involves bribing the prison authorities.
On July 21, authorities at Thayarwaddy Prison also beat political prisoners during their transfer, without providing any specific reason, at the entrance area of the Prison.
