Myanmar's Political Prisoners Suffering in Detention Undergo Critical Health Issues and Deaths Due to Inadequate Medical Treatment

At least 17 political prisoners in Myanmar have died this year due to a lack of adequate medical treatment in prison, according to the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar. The recent deaths of Wutyi Aung, a 26-year-old student activist, and Pyae Sone Aung, a 44-year-old political prisoner, bring attention to the plight of Myanmar's political prisoners who are suffering in detention under the regime's control. Wutyi Aung was arrested in 2021 for her involvement in student pro-democracy activism and was sentenced to three years in prison. She suffered from health issues, including a brain tumor, and was denied access to medical care before her death.

Key Takeaways:

• Wutyi Aung, a 26-year-old student activist, died in Insein Prison due to a lack of medical treatment for her condition, including a brain tumor caused by injuries sustained during interrogations.
• Pyae Sone Aung, a 44-year-old political prisoner, died in Thaton Prison due to hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease while serving a six-year sentence for sedition and terrorism.
• The numbers of deaths due to inadequate medical treatment in prison this year have risen to 17, according to the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar.
• At least 130 political prisoners have died in custody since the military coup on February 1, 2021.
• 22,184 people are still in detention for political activities, including opposing the 2021 coup, as documented by the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP).
• Wutyi Aung was a central executive committee member of the Dagon University Students' Union before her arrest and was sentenced to an additional four years under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law in January 2023.
• Prison officials denied Wutyi Aung's access to a hospital outside of the prison despite her needing surgery four days before her death.

Statistics:

• 17 political prisoners died this year due to inadequate medical treatment in prison.
• At least 130 political prisoners have died in custody since the military coup on February 1, 2021.
• 22,184 people are still in detention for political activities, including opposing the 2021 coup, as documented by the AAPP.
• Wutyi Aung developed a brain tumor due to injuries sustained during interrogations.
• She was arrested in 2021 and sentenced to three years in prison.
• She received an additional four years under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law in January 2023.

Sources:

• Women's Organization of Political Prisoners (WOPP)
• DVB
• Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM)
• Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP)