AN inspection team led by Members of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC), U Than Win, U Ohn Khine, Dr Swe Swe Aung conducted an inspection visit to the Mawlamyine Jail, Mawlamyine Youth Training Centre, Police Lock-ups and Court Lock-ups in Mawlamyine Township, Mon State, on 17 August 2026 and visit to Thaton Prison and Thaton Myoma Police Lockups on 18 August 2026 under Section 43 and 44 of the Commission’s Law.
During the inspection of Mawlamyine Jail and Thaton prison, the team met prisoners in the dormitories and enquired about the fundamental rights entitled to prisoners are enjoyable or not, including the matters relating to an adequate food supply, access to healthcare services, the availability of sufficient purified drinking water and water for domestic use, the situation of allowing family visits, the receipt of items issued by the prison and those sent by family members, the provisions of physical exercise and sport activities, which include formal education and basic literacy education covering for read and write, vocational training. In addition, the team enquired whether there were instances of human rights violations or torture by prison officials and fellow inmates, and the right to practice religion in accordance with their faith. Moreover, the team conducted private and confidential interviews with prisoners who requested to meet separately, and recorded their statements. The Commission donated knowledgeable books for prisoners to read and study through prison authorities.
Following the interviews, the inspection team conducted a physical tour to inspect various facilities, including the dormitories, the medical clinic, the library, the kitchen, the food warehouse, water purifiers, utility reservoirs, and the sanitation of both internal and external sewage systems.
During the inspection visits to the Mawlamyine Youth Training Centre, the MNHRC inspection team examined the institutional measures implemented to provide psychosocial rehabilitation and vocational training for children and young persons under care, aiming to alleviate psychological trauma, social stigma, and loss of self-confidence, the access to healthcare services, provision of food, access to clean drinking water, dormitory arrangements, and the accessibility of National Scrutiny Cards, mental. Furthermore, the team observed rehabilitation efforts aimed at fostering the youths’ mental and physical development through behavioural reformation to ensure their successful reintegration into society, as well as access to education and vocational training, the right to contact and reintegration with their family members, and the right to freedom of religion.
During the inspection of the Police Lockups and Court Lock-ups, the inspection team interviewed detainees and examined facility conditions. The team inspected the status of detainees during the remand period, whether any torture or ill-treatment occurred while in custody or during investigation, opportunities to meet with family members, arrangements for food and accommodations, the disposal of sewage and overall cleanliness of the facilities, the ventilation system, as well as access to meet with family members and defence lawyers during the court appearances.
The inspection team will send its findings and recommendations to the relevant department for necessary action under the Commission’s law. — MNHRC
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