Daik Oo prison authorities are committing unjust torture and abuse, including group confinement of political prisoners

YT (July 30) The Prisoners of Conscience Network of Myanmar (PPNM) announced on July 29 that prison authorities at Daik Oo Prison are subjecting political prisoners to unjust torture and abuse, including confinement. It is reported that within Daik Oo Prison, authorities are coercing political prisoners into forced labor by threatening them with "prohibiting visits and barring visitors." Those who refuse or demand their rights are reportedly taken to separate punishment cells and subjected to unlimited confinement, beatings, and torture. A PPNM information officer stated, "These suppressions have been ongoing for a considerable period, and currently, the situation has become more systematic and severe." Furthermore, it is reported that within the prison, inmates are being subjected to group beatings, food restrictions, unlimited cutting off of external contact including visits, denial of medical treatment, and confinement after fabricating false evidence to frame them. PPNM stated, "Female political prisoners who are confined are given only one 1-liter bottle of water per day, are not allowed to bathe for 14 days, and are provided with only one blanket and one bottle of water, and are fed only porridge. Moreover, even after their sentence period is over, they are not returned to their cells and are allowed only one type of curry and three packs of coffee per month for visits, while being kept confined in their cells. Due to such conditions, the prisoners are experiencing colds and muscle weakness, but are not receiving necessary medical treatment and continue to be threatened." It is reported that these human rights violations within the prison are being led by Chief Officer Daw Zin Mar Kyi Aung, Deputy Chief Officer Daw San Nwe Oo, Officer Thazin Myint, Officer Thet Thet Zin, and Officer Thandar Soe. According to the PPNM statement, 27 political prisoners are currently confined, and five female political prisoners who were nearing their release dates have had their sentences extended by being framed with illegal items. A PPNM official stated that the exact charges for which their sentences were extended are not yet known. It is said that due to these human rights violations, a case occurred in which a pregnant mother and a newborn infant died. Currently, female political prisoners are reportedly suffering severe physical and psychological health impacts. PPNM has stated in its release that it will continue to fight for the lives, psychological, and physical safety of the 27 female political prisoners and five individuals whose sentences have been unjustly extended and are in solitary confinement at Daik Oo Prison, to ensure that those responsible are effectively punished and that the prisoners' rights and human rights are quickly restored. Editor: Aung Kyaw Phyo