U Kyaw Soe Oo, a political prisoner held at Thayarwaddy Prison in Bago Region’s Thayarwaddy Township died on 10 June 2025 due to inadequate medical care.

The Political Prisoners Network - Myanmar (PPNM) announced that 48-year-old U Kyaw Soe Oo, also known as U Zaw, a resident of Hlegu Township in Yangon Region, died on 10 June whilst serving a 10-year sentence under Section 50(I) of the Counter-Terrorism Act.

He had underlying health conditions of heart disease and high blood pressure and died due to a lack of adequate medical treatment and access to outside medical facilities, according to prison sources.

Ma Yaung Ni Lin, a member of the PPNM steering committee said: "After he passed away in prison, his body was taken to the morgue. The family was informed afterward and given permission to arrange the funeral. From what we understand, he was allowed to see his family before he died. The family was also allowed to hold the funeral outside the prison.”

She added that all of the inmates of Thayarwaddy Prison, including political prisoners, face the risk of developing illnesses and of any pre-existing medical conditions worsening, due to a lack of medical care. This has already led to some prisoners there dying from preventable causes.

“Thayarwaddy Prison is a really harsh place. It’s known as one of the most brutal and notorious facilities run by the junta. In past years, there have been cases where inmates died because they didn’t receive proper medical care. We’re continuing to monitor the current situation there very closely,” said Ma Yaung Ni Lin.

This year, between 1 January and 6 June 2025, approximately 10 political prisoners have died due to inadequate medical care in junta-controlled prisons across Myanmar, according to PPNM.