The return of military rule in Myanmar has resulted in a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters and an increasingly lethal treatment of those in custody. More than 100 prisoners have perished in the first two months of the year, due to torture or neglect. Conditions in military-run prisons have deteriorated, with prisoners deprived of basic necessities like food, sanitation, and health care, and facing horrific torture. Despite promises to release detainees, rights groups warn that past amnesties have been followed by rearrests, and new prison complexes are being built.
The military has announced a mandatory draft, potentially leading to a new campaign of arrests as anyone resisting conscription could face up to five years in prison. Detention has proven to be lethal for many, with accounts of beatings, denial of medical care, and unexplained deaths. Since the coup in February 2021, more than 1,500 people have died in detention, with over 20,000 remaining in custody and a civilian death toll exceeding 4,500. The military has a history of violence against civilians, using torture, ethnic persecution, and human shields, and has intensified its crackdown in response to a rebel uprising gaining ground.
The rebels have achieved significant victories against the military, attacking positions in Loikaw and taking control of parts of the city. This has led to worsened conditions for political prisoners, as existing food supplies were taken away and new dangers emerged. Political prisoners are often used as hostages or human shields in armed conflicts, further endangering their lives. Detainees are subjected to ill-treatment and torture in interrogation centers before being formally arrested and thrown into prison.
The military’s response to the rebel uprising has been ruthless, with a focus on cracking down on dissent and maintaining control. The junta’s brutality has escalated, resulting in more deaths in custody and a worsening of conditions for prisoners. While some detainees have been released, others remain at risk, with many still facing mistreatment and neglect. The situation in Myanmar remains dire, with no immediate end in sight to the conflict between the military regime and pro-democracy forces. The international community continues to condemn the violence and human rights abuses in the country, calling for accountability and justice for the victims.
