Rights groups in Myanmar and abroad have raised alarm over a steep rise in custodial deaths, accusing the military regime of systematically denying medical care to detainees and perpetuating a culture of impunity.

In a joint statement issued on August 5, Amnesty International and 14 other rights organizations expressed "grave concern" over what they describe as a deliberate pattern of abuse in Myanmar’s detention centers. Since the military coup in February 2021, at least 1,853 people have died in custody, according to a 2024 report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Rights groups warned the actual number could be far higher due to media restrictions and limited access to prisons.

The groups allege that many deaths stem from untreated injuries sustained during brutal interrogations, compounded by the systemic denial of healthcare. They emphasized that prisoners are routinely denied access to hospitals, and those protesting mistreatments often face harsh retribution.

Political detainees, including student activists and anti-coup protesters, have reportedly endured beatings, solitary confinement, and forced transfers to remote prisons. Some were even killed during these transfers. The Political Prisoners Network-Myanmar stated that at least 190 political prisoners have died from torture or medical neglect between 2021 and July 2025.

One recent case includes 26-year-old student activist Ma Wutt Yee Aung, who died on July 19 in Yangon’s notorious Insein Prison. Arrested in 2021 under charges of terrorism and incitement, she was reportedly denied hospital treatment despite sustaining serious head injuries during interrogation. Her sudden death has sparked outrage among student groups, who accuse prison authorities of neglect and abuse.

Adding to the horror, a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake in March caused the collapse of a prison building in Mandalay’s Obo Prison, killing 59 inmates. Between January and July alone, over 70 custodial deaths were recorded.

Despite mounting evidence of abuse and international condemnation, the military junta has refused to hold any officials accountable. Rights groups say this impunity reflects a complete erosion of human rights protections in Myanmar.

Since the coup, the military has killed more than 7,000 people mostly civilians and imprisoned nearly 30,000. The continuing armed conflict has displaced over 3.5 million people.

Rights advocates are now renewing calls for urgent international pressure on the regime, demanding an immediate end to torture and medical neglect inside prisons. They also urge the international community not to turn a blind eye to what they describe as systematic state-sponsored brutality under the military junta.

The military regime, despite its repeated denials, stands increasingly isolated as reports continue to emerge detailing atrocities against civilians and political prisoners alike.

BOB Post