Life Behind BARs

It has been over three years—now approaching its fourth—since the junta began its attempt to seize state power in Burma. However, their coup attempt has not been successful, and they have lost control of many areas to ethnic resistance organizations (EROs). In response, the junta has become increasingly brutal, particularly against political prisoners, who are arrested and detained under political pretexts. While committing heinous crimes across the country, the junta is also systematically and widely perpetrating severe human rights violations in prisons and interrogation centers.

Political prisoners are held in police stations, interrogation centers, and prisons under the junta’s control, where they are subjected to various forms of mental, physical, and sexual torture. Former political prisoners face significant challenges rebuilding their lives after their release. Hardships, that begin from the moment of their arrest, persist long after their time in prison.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) therefore urges the international community to demand the immediate release of all political prisoners, including President U Win Myint and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and refrain from granting any form of legitimacy to the junta. Additionally, the international community must apply substantial pressure on the junta and take decisive action, in order to hold it accountable for its international crimes.

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