An inspection team led by Chairman U Thit Linn Ohn of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission accompanied by Commission Members U Than Win, U Ohn Khaing, Dr Nu Nu Yi, and Dr Swe Swe Aung, conducted an inspection visit to the Insein Central Prison in Insein Township, Yangon Region, on 25 and 26 June 2026 in accordance with the provisions of Sections 43 and 44 of the Commission’s Law.
During the inspection of the Insein Central Prison, the team visited and inspected the prisoners’ dormitories, the dormitories for prisoners with diverse sexual orientations, the ward for elderly prisoners with disabilities in the prison hospital, medical treatment wards, medicine warehouse, X-ray room, the dental treatment unit, the tuberculosis (TB) treatment unit, the library, vocational training workshop, Dhamma Hall, the kitchen, gas stoves, the food warehouse, water purifiers, and water storage tanks, and additionally checked the cleanliness of the internal and external sewage systems. In addition, the team observed the educational programs provided within the prison, which included basic literacy education covering for read and write as well as classes from Grade 9 to Grade 12, and university-level courses according to academic years.
The team inspected whether 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 provision of physical exercise and sports activities for health and fitness, the provision of formal education and vocational training. Additionally, the team enquired whether there were instances of human rights violations or torture by prison officials and fellow inmates, the right to practise 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, to the prison authorities. The team also followed up and checked the implementation of the previous recommendation made by the Commission.
The findings and recommendations from the inspection visits will be sent to the relevant department for necessary action under the Commission’s law.
MNHRC
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