Reports emerged recently that Myanmar’s brutal military council is planning to execute more inmates on Insein Prison’s death row. Some rumors even claimed that executions took place on Sept. 23 and 24. I want to share all the information we have regarding these reports.
Spread of execution rumors
Our team at the Myanmar Political Prisoners Network (PPNM) has continuously reported on human rights violations against political prisoners inside various prisons, which are difficult for the public to learn about. These include unlawful killings, sexual harassment and rape, as well as data on prisoners who have died inside the prisons. We have also reported about rampant corruption among prison officials. Since we base our reporting on factual information, each of our reports has been consistently denied by the military council’s propaganda outlets.
At the beginning of September, a well-known individual posted on Facebook that reports were circulating that “more people sentenced to death will be executed.” After this post, the rumors of impending executions began to spread widely.
This unverified news about upcoming executions led to various assumptions, causing great concern and anxiety among the public. We have managed to document the following unusual incidents happening inside Insein Prison day by day.
September 14
Four male and one female prisoner who have been sentenced to death are summoned to meet with police officers. For security reasons these five prisoners are escorted out by 18 prison staff and police officers.
September 16
The Deputy Chief of Prisons visits Insein Prison and holds an emergency meeting in the staff housing area outside the prison. Since Sept. 16, a “standby” alert has been in effect inside the prison.
September 19
All staff members inside the prison are on standby, and movements are tightly controlled.
September 22
A total of 500 prisoners, including political prisoners, are transferred to different prisons. Among them are 257 male and 63 female political prisoners.
September 23
A specific area within the prison where hangings are carried out is declared a restricted area. Even senior prison officials cannot go there without special permission. Since Sept. 14, the prison authorities, under special orders, have assigned specific staff to guard the gallows area.
Rumors emerge that at 4 a.m. on Sept. 23, a husband and wife sentenced to death in a bombing case have been hanged inside Insein Prison.
Did the hangings actually take place?
Although there were no actual hangings, the spreading of reports on social media caused fear and anxiety among political prisoners and their families. It must be noted that this is likely the first effect of such news—to cause emotional distress.
Secondly, we must also be careful not to play into the military council’s hands by focusing attention on death sentences and spreading unverified rumors about executions, while the regime has been losing on the battlefield. Based on verifiable information, no hanging took place on Sept. 23, nor are the reports of an execution on Sept. 24 true.
Be mindful of psychological warfare
Rumors are deliberately being spread about conditions inside the prisons. This is part of a psychological operation orchestrated by the military council and its supporters via Telegram channels. The spreading of false reports about executions aims to emotionally harm both the prisoners and their families, causing distress and worry.
Therefore, whenever we hear any news related to the prisons, we must not immediately believe it. It is crucial to verify the source of the news first. Please make sure to check whether trustworthy organizations or media outlets have published the information before believing it.
Thaik Tun Oo is a member of the Leading Committee of the Myanmar Political Prisoners Network (PPNM).
