Mizzima
The spokesperson of the Monywa People's Strike Committee has reported that the hunger strike by 50 political prisoners in Monywa Prison, located in Monywa Township of Sagaing Region, has ended on the sixth day.
Nevertheless, ongoing monitoring of the situation is still necessary, he says.
At 11:00 noon on 13 September, on the sixth day of the hunger strike, the Monywa People's Strike Committee declared a successful conclusion to the strike. The prison authorities have agreed to meet the demands of the 50 political prisoners in Monywa prison who were on hunger strike.
Starting on 8 September, a search of the prison was conducted by soldiers from the Military Council, as well as intelligence personnel, officials from general administrators, and the fire service department. During this search, food, clothes, books, and other personal belongings were confiscated from political prisoners. In response to the authorities' refusal to return these items, 14 political prisoners made the decision to embark on a hunger strike since that day.
Subsequently, an additional 36 political prisoners, including Ko Wai Moe Naing who is one of the leaders of the Monywa People's Strike Committee, joined the hunger strike, increasing the total number of participants to 50.
The political prisoners have expressed three demands. Firstly, they are requesting the return of their confiscated belongings. Secondly, they are calling for the unrestricted acceptance of prison parcels sent from outside. Lastly, they are urging the authorities to promptly address the health concerns of the hunger-striking political prisoners, while holding them accountable for their actions.
According to the Myanmar Political Prisoners Network, it has been reported that three of the political prisoners who participated in the hunger strike fell unconscious due to malnutrition. However, the prison authorities neglected to provide any healthcare or medical assistance to them.
Nevertheless, the spokesperson of the Monywa People's Strike Committee emphasized the importance an ongoing monitoring of the situation.
"We must continue to monitor the situation as news of the strike in Monywa prison spreads among the people and media. This will likely create pressure on the authorities, which may have contributed to the strike's success. However, there is concern that political prisoners may face further oppression despite the agreement," said the spokesperson of the Monywa People's Strike Committee.
According to a statement released by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) on 12 September, there are currently a minimum of 19,465 political prisoners being held in prisons as a result of the military coup d'état.
