MNHRC inspects Kengtung Prison, Tachilek Jail, Monghsat Prison, Kengtung and Tachilek Homes for the Aged, Kengtung Police Lock-up

The inspection team, led by U Kyaw Myint, a Member of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, in accordance with Sections 43 and 44 of the Commission Law, inspected the Kengtung Home for the Aged on 14 May 2024; Kengtung Prison and Kengtung Police Lock-up on 15 May 2024; Tachilek Jail on 16 May 2024 and Monghsat Prison on 17 May 2024. The Tachilek Home for the Aged was inspected on 18 May 2024.
The inspection team looked into Kengtung Prison, Tachilek Jail and Monghsat Prison under the MNHRC law and procedures to find out whether the prisoners and detainees enjoy fundamental rights, including appropriate food supply, access to healthcare and provision of adequate purified water. The inspection team enquired with the prisoners whether they received their personal items and items sent by their families, whether they got family visits, and whether they had the right to freedom of religion. The inspection team enquired whether there were instances of human rights violations and torture and also privately interviewed the prisoners who wanted to speak freely and privately.
The inspection team also inspected the dormitories, clinic, library, kitchen, food storage area, water purifier, water and sanitation system at Kengtung Prison, Tachilek Prison and Monghsat Prison and donated books for the prisoners.
Next, the inspection team visited Kengtung Home for the Aged and Tachilek Home for the Aged under the MNHRC Law and procedures to ascertain whether the residents were enjoying fundamental rights, including healthcare services, appropriate food, purified drinking water, right to freedom of religion, adequate dormitories and arrangements for leisure.
While inspecting the Kengtung police lock-up, the MNHRC team inspected the conditions of detainees during the remand period, including whether any torture occurred during the investigation and whether there were opportunities to meet family members, as well as provision of food and drinking water, the handling of sewage, and the overall cleanliness of the facilities.
MNHRC will send recommendations to the relevant departments for the necessary action based on the findings during the inspection. — MNA