SAA event in Sagaing, Monywa Prison area, Myanmar on Wed 7th October 2026

10 political prisoners injured after prison staff fired guns and beat political prisoners who demanded a fair resolution to a fight between two inmates at Monywa Prison

Yangon, October 11

Ko Shin Thant, a member of the Spring Political Prisoners Network, told Yangon Khit Thit News Agency that around 10 political prisoners were seriously injured after prison staff fired guns and entered to beat political prisoners who had demanded a fair resolution to a case involving a fight between two inmates at Monywa Prison in Sagaing Region.

On October 7, inside Monywa Prison, inmate trustees serving as prison authorities' enforcers, namely the discipline keeper and the cell leader, used an argument between two inmates as a pretext to punch and beat inmates and political prisoners. It is understood that political prisoners subsequently demanded that the prison authorities resolve the unjust assaults fairly.

While they were making this demand, the deputy officer in charge (deputy prison chief) claimed that a prison disturbance was occurring and fired guns. Prison staff then entered and beat the prisoners, resulting in injuries to approximately 10 political prisoners.

In addition, in connection with the incident, the prisoners accused of committing wrongdoing were not punished. Instead, only the two prisoners who had suffered harm were subjected to shackles and torture devices and kept under repression. Likewise, five political prisoners who had intervened to peacefully negotiate and mediate the dispute were reportedly beaten and abused by prison staff, shackled, fitted with torture restraints, and placed in solitary confinement.

A member of the Spring Political Prisoners Network, Ko Shin Thant, stated:

"This is deliberate oppression. All 10 of the injured prisoners are in a concerning condition. If people are beaten, injuries are inevitable. They are not being provided medical treatment. We ask the international community and organizations to monitor the prisons and put pressure on the authorities to release political prisoners."

The Spring Political Prisoners Network stated that the beating, abuse, and solitary confinement of political prisoners in this manner constitute human rights violations by the prison authorities.

The organization further pointed out that using force to resolve a problem that should have been resolved peacefully through negotiation was a hostile act by the prison authorities.

The organization said that the incident has been documented and that efforts will be made to seek justice during a future transitional period.

It also warned that prison authorities must immediately stop the beatings and abuse, and that if such actions continue, they will inevitably face punishment from the people.