As two Mon State detention centers undergo repairs mandated by the human rights commission this week, more than three dozen detainees were transferred.
On February 28, the 39 detainees – 34 from Paung township jail and 5 from Mottama township jail – were taken to Kyaikmaraw Prison. All 39 are still awaiting trial.
“Acting on directions from the human rights commission, we are going to repair the [lockup] cells,” said U Sein Win, deputy chief of Paung Township Police Station. “If the detainees from Paung township are given prison terms, they will likely be sent to Thaton Prison. For now, due to space problems at Thaton Prison, we have temporarily taken them to Kyaikmaraw Prison.”
The repairs at the Paung Township Police Lockup are scheduled to be completed on March 15, according to a station officer.
U Khin Myint, assistant supervisor of Kyaikmaraw Prison, confirmed the transfer.
“We received a letter notifying us that they would transfer the detainees to our prison one week in advance as they are repairing the lockup,” he said.
The detainees were arrested in relation to car accidents and lacking licenses to operate motor vehicles, according to deputy police chief U Sein Win.
Translated by Aong Jaeneh
Edited by Laignee Barron for BNI
