Death row in Myanmar

The families of 77 political activists sentenced to death by Myanmar’s military junta are living in fear that their loved ones will be executed without prior notice, following the hanging of four prominent prisoners of conscience on July 23.

In an act that prompted protests in Myanmar and condemnation abroad, the 18-month-old junta put to death veteran democracy activist Ko Jimmy and former opposition lawmaker Phyo Zeya Thaw, as well as activists Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw. Their families learned of their deaths only after the fact.

The hangings were the first judicial executions in more than three decades. Between Myanmar’s abortive 1988 democratic uprising and the military coup of Feb. 1, 2021, death sentences have been ordered, but no judicial executions were carried out.

Families of Myanmar prisoners on death row say their loved ones were arrested by the junta and sentenced to death by a closed-door military court without the opportunity to defend themselves. While six of the 83 people put on death row since the coup have had their sentences to commuted to life in prison, 77 others still face execution.

“This is not the death penalty. This is murder in prison, as it is based on unjust laws and unsubstantiated cases and verdicts,” said Aung Myo Min, human rights minister for Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government.

RFA Burmese has compiled a list of names, available details and photographs of the condemned prisoners.

In remembrance

In the first judicial executions in Myanmar since 1976, the ruling junta put to death four activists the weekend of July 24-25, 2022.

Kyaw Min Yu (aka Ko Jimmy)