May 30, 2024

The Myanmar Political Prisoners Network (PPNM) reported on May 30 that minors detained on political charges are being held in youth detention centers under the guise of “youth training schools” and are subjected to various human rights violations, including child and women’s rights abuses.

Male minors are primarily detained at Thanylin Youth Training School, Nge Aww San Youth Training School in Yangon, and Mandalay Youth Training School. Female minors are detained at Insein Women’s Training School and Kawhmu Women’s Training School in Yangon, and at Pathein Gyi Women’s Youth Training School in Mandalay.

At Insein Women’s Training School, female minors, including political prisoners, face sexual harassment and abuse. CCTV cameras have been installed in bathrooms and shower areas, causing psychological and physical insecurity among the detainees.

Some female detainees are forced to strip during punishments. They are also made to chop firewood and weed as part of their daily chores.

At Kawhmu Women’s Training School, the lack of sufficient menstrual hygiene supplies has led to psychological distress among the young female detainees.

During investigations, male personnel, including friends and brothers of female staff, often enter the premises, causing further distress and insecurity for the female detainees during shower and toilet times. This also occurs when they are changing clothes, leading to severe discomfort.

At Pathein Gyi Women’s Youth Training School, some detainees are from regions such as Karenni State and Chin State, and they were arbitrarily detained and subjected to wrongful imprisonment.

Due to the inability of family members from distant areas to send parcels, the detainees mainly rely on the prison’s food, which includes pea soup and rice. They receive egg dishes three times a week, and meat dishes only when there are donations, according to the detailed report by PPNM.