Systemic abuse and extortion reported at Daik-U Prison as political detainees face dehumanizing labour

Mizzima

Reports from the notorious Daik-U Prison in Bago Region reveal a deteriorating human rights situation, where political prisoners are allegedly subjected to systemic torture, medical neglect, and dehumanizing labour. Sources close to the facility, including the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM), describe an environment where those unable to pay bribes to prison staff are singled out for the most severe forms of oppression.

“A comrade contacted me and said the situation for political prisoners in Daik-U Prison is very dire. They are being moved between wards, forced to carry sewage water, and subjected to excessive forced labour Even those suffering from injuries caused by torture are not spared,” a person close to the prison told Mizzima.

The source added that those who demand prisoners’ rights are being put in solitary confinement with shackles. Furthermore, food, medicine, and books from the parcels sent to transferred political prisoners are being confiscated by authorities.

A former political prisoner recently released from the facility stated that the head of Ward 1 beats political prisoners and subsequently denies them adequate medical treatment.

“While in solitary, prisoners are beaten so severely that some suffer cracked ribs, kidney issues, or even hernias. Even when medicine is sent in, political prisoners don’t receive the full amount due to embezzlement. They are fed undercooked or spoiled rice under the pretext of staff shortages,” he said.

Additionally, it was learned that on 29 December 2025, prison authorities confiscated a self-funded medical fund worth approximately 3 million Kyats (US$1,428) established by political prisoners for emergency healthcare.

The Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) also released a statement saying that the deputy jailer keeps a blacklist of prisoners who demand sufficient medicine. Those on the list are forced to crawl on all fours and are beaten. Personal supplies of food and medicine are also seized during cell searches.

Daik-U Prison has become notorious since the military coup for the intensified persecution and torture of political prisoners by prison authorities and staff.