September 10, 2024
Former political prisoners have staged protests against the Insein Prison authorities for covering up a rape incident that took place within the prison. According to sources, on August 20, 2024, an inmate named Zin Myo, also known as Myo Gyi, who was already serving a sentence for a prior sexual assault conviction, raped a political prisoner inside Insein Prison.
The prison authorities reportedly covered up the incident without taking any action against the perpetrator, leading to protests by former political prisoners. The rapist, who was given a position of authority over other inmates by the prison authorities, has connections to senior prison officials, according to the Myanmar Political Prisoner Network (PPNM).
The PPNM pointed out that the failure to act on the rape case was a deliberate attempt to protect the perpetrator. They have called for immediate action under both criminal law and prison regulations to hold the assailant accountable.
The protest, which took place on September 9, 2024, was organized by former political prisoners, demanding justice for the victim and an end to the impunity for crimes committed within the prison system.
