By Ko Myo / MPA
YANGON, Myanmar — At least 148 political prisoners in Myanmar have died in detention due to the deliberate denial of adequate medical treatment since the 2021 military coup, according to data released on Monday by the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM).
The tracking data, spanning from July 2021 to May 2026, reveals that 86% of the deceased were men, 13% were women, and 1% identified as LGBT+. The majority of those who lost their lives were aged between 36 and 55.
According to PPNM, 2023 recorded the highest mortality rate due to medical neglect. Yangon’s notorious Insein Prison accounted for the largest share of deaths at 34.5%, followed by Obo Prison in Mandalay at 12.8%, Dai-U Prison at 5.4%, Magway Prison at 4.7%, and Tharrawaddy Prison at 4.1%.
Chronic and non-communicable conditions—including heart disease, liver failure, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer—were the primary causes of death, accounting for 64 cases where urgent care was refused or delayed.
A further 16 detainees died from infectious diseases and respiratory failure, including COVID-19, sepsis, and tuberculosis. The rights network also verified seven deaths caused directly by physical injuries sustained during brutal interrogation sessions, while others succumbed to gastrointestinal emergencies requiring surgery, severe fevers, and chronic malnutrition.
Human rights watchdogs have repeatedly condemned Myanmar’s military junta for weaponizing the prison system, warning that withholding life-saving medical treatment from political detainees constitutes a systematic violation of international humanitarian standards.
