Mizzima
Senior officials from the junta Prisons Department ordered a deadly crackdown on an inmate protest at Myitkyina Prison that killed five prisoners on 18 April 2024, according to the Political Prisoners Network – Myanmar (PPNM).
Its research has found that the order to fire on the prisoners was given by the Director of the Myanmar Prisons Department, Kyaw Soe.
On the night of 18 April, prisoners at Myitkyina Prison protested because they believed that the way prisoners were selected for the junta’s traditional New Year’s Amnesty, which had just been announced, had been unfair.
Prison guards responded violently to the protests killing five inmates and injuring a further eight.
According to PPNM Kyaw Soe, the prison director Kyaw Myint Sein and the deputy prison director Kyaw Min Oo were amongst those who issued the orders to suppress the protest.
Prison guards fired onto prisoners from the central guard tower and guard towers 3 and 4. PPNM has identified Zaw Zaw Moe as one of the prison guards who shot at prisoners.
“According to our investigations, Kyaw Soe is largely responsible for this incident. The police force, junta soldiers, and prison guards were all involved in the crackdown”, said Thaik Tun Oo, a member of the PPNM Steering Committee.
The five inmates who died in the 18 April incident were: political activist, Kyaw Soe Win, age 24; Aung Naing Tun, age 22; Nyunt Htay; Win Tun; and Yain Bawm.
“Those responsible for the crackdown, which resulted in five deaths, have not been prosecuted,” said Thaik Tun Oo.
Following the incident, political prisoners including Tun Myint Aung, Kaung San Hein, Chan Min Min, and Aung Kyaw Zin were accused of leading the riot. They, along with nine others, were sentenced to an additional three years and six months under section 6 (1) of the Public Property Protection Act and under section 66 (d) of the Telecommunications Law. They have been held in solitary confinement since 18 April and parcel deliveries from their family members have been restricted.
Currently, Myitkyina Prison holds over 500 inmates, including 100 political prisoners.
PPNM has vowed to continue its efforts to get justice for political prisoners and to closely monitor the actions of the prison authorities.
Mizzima attempted to speak to officials from Myitkyina Prison and the Nay Pyi Taw Prisons Department on 27 May but could not get a response.
