A total of 282 political prisoners, including both men and women, have died in prisons across Myanmar during the three years since the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) was established, according to the group’s third anniversary report released on June 1.

The report stated that 148 prisoners died due to inadequate medical care, shortages of medicine, and delays in receiving treatment inside prisons. Among the victims were 128 men, 19 women, and one LGBT prisoner.

It also reported that 75 prisoners died as a result of unlawful killings committed by military junta personnel and prison authorities. Those victims included 74 men and one woman.

In addition, 59 prisoners died in prisons during the earthquake that struck Myanmar in March. Among them were 37 men and 22 women, according to PPNM.

“The statistics on human rights violations and deaths among political prisoners are evidence of the inhumane crimes taking place within the prison system operated by the military junta,” PPNM said in its statement.

PPNM said it had issued 110 statements documenting human rights violations inside prisons, 15 statements regarding prison transfers, and nine statements concerning prisoner releases during the past three years.

The organization said it would continue using all possible means to advocate for full human rights protections inside prisons and to secure the unconditional and immediate release of all political prisoners who have been unjustly arrested.

PPNM also urged the public and international organizations to continue supporting political prisoners facing rights violations inside prisons.

PPNM was established in 2023 by former political prisoners. The group monitors and documents the conditions of political prisoners still held in prisons and works to raise public and international awareness of human rights violations occurring behind bars.

“We have tried to accurately and promptly expose the human rights violations taking place inside prisons so that both the public and the international community can be informed. During this work, some of our colleagues were also arrested,” said a member of PPNM’s leading committee.

The committee member added that PPNM would continue its efforts to fight for the human rights and justice of political prisoners.