They Call It ‘Insane’: Where Myanmar Sends Political Prisoners

The New York Times

Richard C. Paddock
Published May 29, 2021Updated May 30, 2021
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Insein prison in Yangon, Myanmar, in 2020. It became infamous for its harsh conditions and the torture of prisoners during a half-century of military dictatorship.Credit...Ye Aung Thu/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

For 134 years, Insein Prison has stood as a monument to brutality. Since the Feb. 1 coup, journalists, elected leaders and pro-democracy protesters have been held in the aging facility.

The prison was already packed, its population more than double its 5,000-person capacity. Recent prisoners include two American journalists and an Australian economic adviser. Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters have also been crammed in, some with fresh gunshot wounds.

Myanmar army says it killed six unarmed prisoners

B B C
03 May 2019

Myanmar's army has said it shot dead at least six people detained in a village school in Rakhine state.

A spokesman confirmed troops fired on unarmed detainees saying they had tried to grab the soldiers' weapons.

The detained were being questions for links to the rebels of the Arakan Army, who are ethnic Rakhine Buddhists.

Myanmar pardons nearly 7,000 prisoners in second amnesty this month

REUTERS

Shoon Naing

April 26, 2019  

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar began releasing prisoners on Friday after the president announced he would pardon nearly 7,000 people in addition to thousands released earlier this month.

President Win Myint granted unconditional amnesty to 6,948 prisoners serving jail terms around the country “to bring delight to the citizens of Myanmar and taking into consideration humanitarian concerns”, according to a statement.

Authorities quell unrest at Sittwe prison in Rakhine

MYANMAR TIMES

Nyan Lynn Aung  

22 Apr 2019

Prison authorities and police have quelled unrest at Sittwe prison in Rakhine State, apparently caused by some inmates upset that they had been left out of the president’s annual amnesty, a police official said on Sunday.

Local residents rushed to the prison late Saturday after hearing gunfire inside its compound.

Myanmar leader pardons 9,500 prisoners but not 2 reporters

StarTribune
Associated Press
April 17, 2019

YANGON, Myanmar — More than 9,500 prisoners were ordered released Wednesday in Myanmar under a presidential amnesty, but they did not include two Pulitzer Prize-winning Reuters reporters.

The Facebook page of the Office of President Win Myint said he signed a pardon for 9,551 prisoners, including 16 foreigners, to be released nationwide to mark the country's traditional New Year.