• Burmese
Thursday, July 17, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
27 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Myanmar Junta Putting Lives of Political Prisoners at Risk in COVID-19 Prison Outbreaks

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
July 16, 2021
in Burma
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Political prisoners released on June 30 from Insein Prison in Yangon / The Irrawaddy

Political prisoners released on June 30 from Insein Prison in Yangon / The Irrawaddy

6.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The military regime has imposed a lockdown in three prisons because of spiking COVID-19 cases, raising fears for the fate of the thousands of political prisoners detained by the junta, but the number of infected detainees remains unknown.

Insein Prison in Yangon was locked down on July 8. Taungoo Prison in Bago Region and Myaungmya Prison in Ayeyarwady Region were locked down in the last week of June.

Prisons in Myanmar are ill-equipped to treat COVID-19 patients, with only Insein Prison having the facilities to treat coronavirus cases. Some infected prisoners have been transferred to outside hospitals.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar Junta’s Power Transfer Looms, but Real Control to Remain With Regime Boss

Myanmar Junta’s Power Transfer Looms, but Real Control to Remain With Regime Boss

July 17, 2025
223
Belarus Universities Teach Myanmar Junta How to Kill: JFM

Belarus Universities Teach Myanmar Junta How to Kill: JFM

July 17, 2025
113
Myanmar Junta’s Recapture of Nawnghkio Shows Strategic Missteps by TNLA

Myanmar Junta’s Recapture of Nawnghkio Shows Strategic Missteps by TNLA

July 17, 2025
278

U Nyan Win, a detained central executive committee member of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s long-time personal lawyer, was sent to Yangon General Hospital on July 11 after the 79-year-old was infected with COVID-19. Dr. Maw Maw Oo, a doctor detained in Insein Prison, is also receiving treatment for coronavirus at Yangon General Hospital.

“U Nyan Win is responding well to treatment. U Maw Maw Oo can be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. And there are no new infections,” U Aye Chan Kyaw, the Correctional Department spokesperson, told The Irrawaddy on Thursday.

The spokesperson denied reports that ousted Yangon Region minister U Naing Ngan Lin and other political prisoners who took care of U Nyan Win in Insein Prison have also caught the virus.

American journalist Danny Fenster, managing editor of local news outlet Frontier Myanmar, is also being held in Insein Prison after being detained at Yangon Airport on May 25. Fenster has COVID-19 symptoms but has received no medical treatment, his family were quoted by the BBC as saying.

“He is not receiving any treatment and hasn’t been diagnosed. We are very disappointed and extremely worried,” said Fenster’s brother.

Thomas Andrew, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, has expressed particular concern for people detained in Myanmar’s overcrowded prisons, as he urged the international community to provide emergency assistance to the country.

“Myanmar’s prison population, including the thousands of political prisoners who have been arbitrarily detained since the coup, are in grave danger. Prisoners, particularly those with underlying conditions, could see their detention become a death sentence,” he warned.

5,269 people were detained by the Myanmar military between Feb. 1 and July 15, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. The regime released over 2,200 political prisoners across the country on June 30, but lawyers estimate that around 3,000 political prisoners remain in Insein Prison.

Around 30 prisoners are still receiving treatment in Insein Prison. An infected prison worker and his family are reported to be recovering in Myaungmya Prison. The lockdown in Taungoo Prison has now been lifted and all infected prisoners discharged from hospital, according to U Aye Chan Kyaw.

Most infected persons found in prisons are newly-arrived detainees. They are tested for coronavirus on arrival and only those who test negative are accepted, said U Aye Chan Kyaw.

However, there are concerns about the potential for mass COVID-19 outbreaks due to prison overcrowding.

Lawyers acting for detainees and those who have recently been released said some detainees in Insein Prison were displaying symptoms similar to those of coronavirus and flu.

One lawyer helping the detainees suggested releasing political prisoners on bail to reduce prison overcrowding. Some of the detainees, including NLD senior leaders, have been behind bars since the military launched its Feb. 1 coup.

“This is a deadly pandemic and they [the junta] should not approach it only from a political perspective, but focus on the lives of the detainees and think about what relaxation [of the rules] can be made,” said the lawyer.

The National Unity Government (NUG), a shadow government formed to rival the military regime, has accused the junta of acting deliberately so that political prisoners die from COVID-19.

The NUG’s national-level COVID-19 committee has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, in response to the rising number of coronavirus infections and deaths in prisons.

“The regime will be responsible for all consequences and harsh action will be taken in accordance with the wishes of the people and law for these inhuman acts,” said NUG minister Dr. Zaw Wai Soe.


You may also like these stories:

Banning the NLD Won’t End Resistance to Military Rule

Myanmar Junta Jails Activist’s Wife and Daughter for 3 Years

Myanmar Junta Says it Can’t Cope With Rising COVID-19 Cases

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Assistance Association for Political PrisonersAyeyarwady RegionBago RegionBBCcoronavirusCorrectional DepartmentCoupCOVID-19Danny Fensterjuntamilitary regimeMyanmar MilitaryMyaungmya PrisonNational League for DemocracyNational Unity GovernmentNLDNUGpolitical prisoners Insein PrisonTaungoo PrisonThomas AndrewU Naing Ngan LinU Nyan WinYangon
The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy

...

Similar Picks:

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow
Burma

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow

by The Irrawaddy
February 12, 2024
44.8k

Ethnic armed grouping says it will continue Operation 1027 offensive until goal of ousting the junta is achieved. 

Read moreDetails
Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses
Business

Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

by The Irrawaddy
November 27, 2023
38.6k

Jin San Jiao is latest northern Shan State trade hub in crosshairs of ethnic Brotherhood Alliance.

Read moreDetails
Arakan Army Captures Myanmar Junta Brigade General in Chin State Rout: Report
Burma

Arakan Army Captures Myanmar Junta Brigade General in Chin State Rout: Report

by The Irrawaddy
January 15, 2024
36.6k

Rakhine-based armed group has reportedly detained the chief of 19th Military Operations Command after seizing his base in Paletwa Township.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Arrests Thai Condo Buyers, Realtors as Currency Crashes
Business

Myanmar Junta Arrests Thai Condo Buyers, Realtors as Currency Crashes

by The Irrawaddy
June 4, 2024
27.7k

Monday’s arrests follow reports that Myanmar has become one of Thailand’s most lucrative markets for selling condos since the 2021...

Read moreDetails
Three Rebel Army Chiefs Predict Rapid Fall of Myanmar Junta
Burma

Three Rebel Army Chiefs Predict Rapid Fall of Myanmar Junta

by The Irrawaddy
August 18, 2023
27k

Powerful armed groups in Karen, Kachin and Kayah states say the regime is ready to topple.

Read moreDetails
China-Backed Illegal Rare Earth Mining Surging in Northern Myanmar
Burma

China-Backed Illegal Rare Earth Mining Surging in Northern Myanmar

by Yan Naing
July 15, 2022
34.8k

A Myanmar military-backed militia in Kachin State is protecting Chinese-run mines that produce coveted rare earth minerals used in hi-tech...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Detained NLD lawmaker U Aung Kyaw Kyaw Oo after his arrest (left) and before his arrest (right).

Myanmar Junta Arrests NLD Lawmaker and His Wife in Yangon

Bodies are lined up to be cremated at Yeway Cemetery on July 12, 2021. / Supplied

Amid COVID’s Third Wave, Myanmar Descends Into State Failure

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

2 days ago
1.2k
‘Not a Witch Hunt’: Upholding Survivor-Centered Justice in Myanmar

‘Not a Witch Hunt’: Upholding Survivor-Centered Justice in Myanmar

6 days ago
790

Most Read

  • Indian Army Accused of Deadly Strike on Separatists in Myanmar

    Indian Army Accused of Deadly Strike on Separatists in Myanmar

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Rakhine Fighters Close In on Myanmar Junta’s Naval Base

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Behind the Scenes: China’s Hand in Myanmar’s Election

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Recaptures Nawnghkio After Months-Long Counteroffensive

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Rogue Sagaing Resistance Fighters Held Over Robbery Gone Wrong

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.