The leaders of Myanmar’s military regime and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had a meeting regarding the issue of allowing family members to meet with prison inmates.

The regime’s second in command, Vice Senior General Soe Win, held a meeting with ICRC Director of Operations Martin Schuepp in Naypyidaw on March 8, according to state-run media.

The ICRC issued a statement on March 10 saying that during the meeting, the ICRC discussed the issue of access to prisoners for family members, which has been temporarily barred due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Following this week’s talks, we look forward to discussing next steps to resume visits to detainees and improving access to communities most affected by conflict and violence,” an ICRC statement said.

DMG remains in contact with ICRC officials via email to find out more about the results of the discussions.

Since 2020, prison visits by family members of prisoners have been banned due to the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I have not been allowed to meet him in person since his arrest,” said Ma Aye Aye Khaing, the wife of Ko Oo Ba Hlaing, a resident of Ponnagyun who was charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code. “I have been denied prison visits for nine months. I had an opportunity to meet in person during the hearing. I want to meet him in prison.”

With Covid-19 infections at near-negligible levels for months, the military council has been gradually relaxing virus-related regulations in Arakan State and elsewhere in Myanmar, and family members hope this will soon include the regime allowing prison visits.

The Prison Manual stipulates that every inmate has the right to receive appropriate healthcare while incarcerated and is entitled to a prison visit once a week.

“Prisoners do not see their families. Prisoners are losing their rights, whether it’s about their health or their livelihood,” U Myat Tun, director of the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association, told DMG.