Prison Visit: MNHRC inspects Bago Jail Centre and Police Lock-up

On 20 March, an inspection team headed from the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, carried out an inspection of the Bago Jail and the Bago Myoma Police Lock-up in Bago Township, Bago Region.

The inspection was conducted under Sections 43 and 44 of the Commission’s Law. At the Bago Jail, the team visited prisoners in their dormitories and inquired about matters affecting their fundamental rights. These included the adequacy of food supplies, access to healthcare services, the process for referrals to outside hospitals based on medical needs, the availability of sufficient purified drinking water and water for domestic use, arrangements for family visits, the receipt of items provided by the prison or sent by family members, and the provision of physical exercise and sports for health and fitness.

The team also looked into the right to freedom of religion and faith, specifically the worship activities of 11 Muslim prisoners during Ramadan and the arrangements made for their meals.

Additionally, they reviewed the provision of basic literacy education covering reading, writing, and arithmetic for illiterate prisoners and detainees, and inspected that any instances of human rights violations or torture by prison staff or fellow inmates.

The team also spoke with 12 family members who had come to visit their incarcerated relatives, asking if they faced any challenges in meeting with them or delivering items. Furthermore, private and confidential interviews were conducted with 10 prisoners and detainees who had requested separate meetings, and their statements were recorded.

The team subsequently inspected various facilities, and observed prisoners during lunch and reviewed the status of implementation of recommendations made during their previous visit. Following this, the Commission donated 50 knowledgeable books for the prisoners to read and study. 4.           

During the inspection of the Bago Myoma Police Lock-up, the team assessed the conditions of detainees during the remand period. They examined whether any torture had taken place while detainees were held there, whether opportunities for family visits existed, and the provision of food and nutritional supplements.

The team also reviewed sewage disposal, overall cleanliness of the facilities, and the status of family visits and access to legal assistance during court appearances. The findings and recommendations resulting from the inspection visits will be submitted to the relevant department for necessary action, in line with the Commission’s law.