In Loikaw Prison Karenni State, over 400 inmates including political prisoners, remain incarcerated, and they are suffering a dire shortage of food due to the inability of their family members to visit or provide sustenance.

The Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) has highlighted that amidst the ongoing escalation of resistance battles,  "The prison is heavily guarded by Junta troops, acting like a fortress, shooting at anything approaching, without hesitation. With ongoing skirmishes nearby, families fear going to the prison. This leaves inmates severely lacking food and nutrition, and barely able to survive. If this situation continues, prisoners' lives will be at grave risk”, Ko Thaik Tun Oo, a member of PPNM’s leading committee warned.

Loikaw Prison currently holds over 110 political prisoners along with approximately 300 others.

PPNM emphasized that prolonged food and nutrition shortages in the prison could result in the death of already ailing prisoners. It underscored the critical need for organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to promptly provide nutritional and healthcare assistance to all inmates, including political prisoners, in Loikaw Prison to safeguard their right to life.

PPNM urged the people of Myanmar and international bodies like the United Nations (UN)  not to overlook the dire situation of Loikaw Prison inmates, who are grappling with acute food shortages and fighting for survival.