Mizzima: A CRY UNHEARD

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A cry unheard: Helpless Burmese prisoners in Bangladesh jails

Dhaka, February 12, 2000
By Mizzima News Group

They are treated badly in the prisons as in the case of many "stateless"
citizens in this region. Many of them have already served their prison
sentences whatever they were sentenced by the laws in the country.
Still, they have to continue undergoing rigorous prison life and not
knowing when they will be got out of jail or who would come for their
help. Definitely, almost no help comes from their government in power in
Burma, a country, which is ruled by military. That is the plight of
Burmese prisoners who are lodged in various prisons of Burma's
neighbouring country, Bangladesh.

There are about 500 Burmese nationals in Bangladesh prisons who continue
to be in jail despite the fact that they have undergone deserved
sentences. According to a statement in July 1999 from Home Ministry of
Bangladesh government, about 200 Burmese prisoners (who have already
served their prison sentences) could not be sent back to their homes in
Burma due to the lack of co-operation from Burma government. After seven
months now, the number of these Burmese prisoners has increased to 500.

According to an officer from Bangladesh border security force, who does
not want to expose his name, only 29 Burmese prisoners were able to be
sent back to Burma and the rest are still in Bangladesh jails, now
knowing when they can take breath of freedom.

The officer confided our reporter that Burmese authorities in Rangoon
have been supplied with details of addresses of these prisoners and if
there is co-operation from Burma, the government of Bangladesh will at
once send back the prisoners.

Majority of these prisoners belong to Arakan State of Burma and they are
ethnic Arakanese. The rest are other nationals from Burma. According to
police records, 90% of them have served their sentences already but have
been "overstaying" in jails for four to five years. 10% have been
"overstaying" in jails for more than one year.

Among them, 30% are the ones who came to Bangladesh to earn for simple
living, as they could not live under the military rule in Burma. 20% are
the smugglers and the rest 50% are the dissidents who continue to fight
against the military regime in Burma. Most of them in the last category
were charged with illegal entry into Bangladesh.

The existing prison rules of Bangladesh allow providing only food to
those who have already served their prison sentences. No medicine and
clothing are provided to these prisoners. Thus, Burmese prisoners over
500 in number are undergoing extreme hardships in jails without support.
And the Burmese Embassy in Dhaka does not take the plight of these
prisoners seriously either.

These Burmese prisoners are found in jails at Cox's Bazar,
Chittagong-Bandraban and Rangamati-Comilla. They were arrested from
various places in Bangladesh, particularly in Bangladesh-Burma border
areas. A prisoner told his story to our reporter who met him in
Bandraban Jail recently.

"I was arrested by Bangladesh Army at Bandraban village of Chittagong
and interrogated. Then handed over to police, case sent up in court for
illegal entry and sentenced to imprisonment. Forms were filled up and
photos were taken. Though the sentence for illegal entry was 15 days in
jail, I have been here for more than three years", said the Burmese
prisoner.

He further continued that Burmese Embassy at Dhaka was given the
addresses and other details of the prisoners. But there is no
co-operation from Burma side. Although 3/4 years have passed, they
cannot return.

"In a room 20'×30', 300 to 400 prisoners were kept congested without
being able to stretch or sleep. By bribing Taka (Bangladesh currency)
3,000 to Jailor just sleeping space could be obtained. Every 4/5 months
there was jail transfer", said the Burmese.

Four prisoners in Rangamati prison already died after tying in rope, as
they could not see any future for their freedom.

It is learnt that Cox's Bazar Jail is worse. It is over crowded and in
summer all prisoners sweat profusely even longyi is drenched. There is
no medicine. Unwell is ignored.

Out of frustration, in January 1999, two Arakanese prisoners escaped
form Cox's Bazaar prison but were arrested after 4/5 hours on the way.
30 Burmese prisoners in the jail, including these two were beaten with
iron rods breaking their knees.