The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission is set to launch a city-wide investigation of prison cells in order to ensure that they are up to international standards.
“We’re planning on inspecting the jail cells in police stations, hospitals, and courts in Yangon,” said Myanmar Human Rights Commission member Yu Lwin Aung, as quoted by 7Day.
Cells that will be inspected over the next few weeks include ones at the SanPya General Hospital, Kyauktada Police Station, Mindon Labor Camp, and the East District Court.
“We’ll inspect whether they meet the UN’s standard minimum rules, and whether prisoners are being treated in accordance with the human rights law,” explained Yu Lwin Aung.
The final inspection report will be distributed to the relevant departments, including the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Both local and international human rights groups have made several calls in the past for a complete reform of the country’s prison system, which is infamous for its widespread corruption, inhumane housing conditions, and physical and mental abuse of its prisoners.
Last month, a parliamentary commission member noted that after examining a few courts and police stations in Yangon, “We found them understaffed. As a result, police officers lacked the requisite skills and resources to carry out their work.”
