Mizzima
The Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) reported on 5 January 2026, that 35 political prisoners at Magway Prison were severely beaten by prison authorities and placed in solitary confinement after refusing to perform dishwashing duties.
The incident began on 8 December 2025, when prison officials ordered inmates at Male Dormitory 4 to wash dishes in groups of ten. The political prisoners argued they should not be forced to perform such tasks because they are held on political charges rather than criminal ones.
In response to their refusal, prison officials and “senior prisoners” (known as Tan See) including Tin Aung Tun, Sit Thar Gyi, Nga Pway, and Myat Ko, along with staff member Ko Thet Paing Soe carried out a coordinated assault.
The PPNM detailed torture methods that included forcing prisoners to sit with heads bowed, beating those who looked up, making them lie on the ground, and striking them with batons, wires, and cables.
“In response to their appeal, prison officials denied them the right to talk like normal citizens by making them sit with their heads down and hold their hands together while speaking. They had to keep their heads lowered and clasp their hands in front of them even when they were standing,” said Ko Thaik Tun Oo, a member of the PPNM leading committee.
In a separate but related incident of resistance, 11 other political prisoners were beaten and placed in solitary confinement for refusing to buy betel nuts sold by prison staff. This boycott was intended to cut into the corrupt earnings of officials who sell items at exorbitant prices at the prison’s internal market bars.
As of 5 January, all 35 prisoners remain in isolation, and relatives are reportedly distressed as some sustained serious head injuries during the beatings and have not received verified medical check-ups.
“Since the military takeover, prison authorities have been violating prison rules to target and mistreat political prisoners at will. These acts are beyond their authority. Therefore, we demand an immediate end to these systemic oppressions,” Ko Thaik Tun Oo said.
The PPNM vehemently condemned these actions as a severe violation of human rights and international standards for the treatment of prisoners. The organization stated it is continuing to monitor human rights violations inside Magway Prison and remains committed to holding those who ordered, participated in, and supported such oppressive actions accountable for their crimes to restore justice.
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