Struggle for Survival: Resilience in The Face of Prison’s Aftershocks
The experience of a political prisoner goes far beyond arrest, interrogation and imprisonment. Building upon previous findings shared in “The Flow of Injustice”, this report shifts its focus to the post-release struggles of former political prisoners and their families. It examines the compounding long-term effects of arrest, detention, and imprisonment, highlighting the “Resilience in the Face of Prison’s Aftershocks.” It elaborates on the ongoing challenges FPPs face as surveillance subjects, facing the risk of re-arrest and consequent isolation from their communities, whilst battling the physical and psychological harms of their imprisonment as well as its impact on their economic and education opportunities. Often, and in the case of all but one of those interviewed for this report, these experiences result in expatriation, where they must face new challenges.
AAPP has conducted in-depth interviews with released political prisoners, capturing their personal experiences, as to how their lives have been shaped by Sit-Tat’ ongoing crimes and the human rights violations perpetrated against them. The participation of political prisoners in interviews and their willingness and courage to share first-hand experiences, provide an invaluable insight into the Sit-Tat’ atrocities. While the accounts in this report represent only a small sliver of total number of political prisoners arrested and detained in Sit-Tat prisons and detention centers since the coup, they shed light on the harrowing realities faced by released political prisoners.
The report is structured to follow the journey of political prisoners, highlighting the experiences of arrest, interrogation and imprisonment, in order to understand the severe consequences that being brought into an unjust prison and judicial system has on the immediate aftermath of their release, and theirongoing struggles to rebuild their lives in the long term.
The report follows the flow of injustice, as follows: Arrest, Trial, and Imprisonment: Political prisoners are subject to violent and arbitrary arrests by Sit-Tat. They are often exposed to systematically employed forms of torture in interrogation camps, inflicting both physical and mental harm, and sometimes extracting forced confessions. In junta-controlled courts, they face false witnesses, predetermined judgments, and a lack of fair legal proceedings. Additionally, they endure degrading treatment and violations of basic rights during their time in prison.
Post-release Encounters: Former political prisoners face numerous uncertainties on their way home after release. They often face a lack of transparency as to their release date, and this uncertainty places a psychological toll on them and their families. From the moment of release, former political prisoners endure persistent surveillance by the junta, its affiliates, and informants. Political activity that happens in their respective areas, whether they are involved or not, may lead to further questioning or re- arrest, causing fear for them, their relatives and the surrounding community. The feeling of insecurity makes it hard to continue their lives within their community.
Some former political prisoners find it impossible to reconnect with their families, facing broken or strained relationships. Others are completely isolated from their communities or are met with suspicion and reluctance to engage due to the fear placed on them by the junta, in being associated with a political prisoner. Some feel that they have nowhere to go after release, lacking information on the whereabouts of their relatives and not feeling secure in their previous homes. These challenges begin immediately after release, marking their journey home with fear and insecurity. Former political prisoners and their families frequently suffer significant financial losses as a result of their imprisonment. In one sense, this is due to past extortion demands from the Sit-Tat, police, and judicial and prison authorities, that can result in reduced charges against them, ease their arrest or improve conditions during imprisonment. Many face difficulties in securing a livelihood. Businesses collapse during their time in prison, and unemployment after their release leaves them and their families struggling to survive. Other post-release challenges faced by former political prisoners include the loss of property, including the illegal confiscation of their homes.
Rebuilding Their Lives: The feeling of insecurity endured by political prisoners and their families extends so far that it forces many to flee to liberated areas or neighboring countries. However, the lack of legal documents makes it impossible to live securely, also fearing arrest in these new places. Many are unable to work legally, lacking proper documentation, affecting their ability to sustain their livelihoods. Released political prisoners continue to battle with the physical and psychological trauma caused by torture and ill-treatment during their imprisonment, with many facing long-term health issues that require unaffordable treatment. Many struggle to seek necessary medical treatment, with their worsening health conditions adding to their hardship. Although schools have been established for migrant children in border areas, children of former political prisoners face challenges in accessing education, often as a result of their psychological trauma. Despite encountering numerous difficulties in rebuilding their lives abroad, many remain committed to resisting the junta, firmly upholding their beliefs and meeting other political prisoners and activists to carry out their activism.
Hopes for the Future: After the Sit-Tat seized power in 2021, the experiences of political prisoners and their families mark one of the darkest periods in Burma’s history. They endure physical and psychological suffering, violations of fundamental human rights, and the destruction of family or community life. The impunity enjoyed by those in power for their ongoing violations and crimes perpetuates further abuses.
The survivors of these human rights violations must shape the demands for future justice in the country. For the purposes of this report, AAPP requested that interviewees voice their demands. In response, survivors explained that to break the cycles of violence, it is crucial to gather compelling evidence of these crimes, document ongoing human rights violations, and establish a process for truth-telling. Many report a longing to hold perpetrators of past injustices accountable during a future transitional period. Interviews point to a need for recognition and reparations for victims, along with necessary reforms in the judicial system to establish proper rule of law to ensure justice. These are essential steps toward building a peaceful society and vital for Burma’s transition and sustainable development.
This report highlights the urgent need for international actors, including the United Nations, ASEAN member states, and other global entities, to assist in securing the livelihoods, healthcare, safe shelter, and relevant education for former political prisoners and their families. It also stresses the importance of taking decisive action to end the ongoing criminal activities of the junta and to support those still imprisoned by junta. Furthermore, it calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners, including the President and State Counselor.
