Executive Summary: "Since 1962, between 7,000 and 10,000 political prisoners have been imprisoned in Burma. Whilst a multitude of anecdotal records exist, there is very little comprehensive data concerning the torture and mistreatment experienced by political prisoners within Burma?s interrogation centers and jails. Nor is there comprehensive data on the challenges political prisoners face upon release. Between January 2014 and July 2015, AAPP and FPPS collected data on the experiences of ex-PPs by surveying ex-PPs throughout Burma and along the Thailand-Burma border. The findings of data collected on 1,621 ex-PPs inform this report, which seeks to reveal the widespread mistreatment of, and systematic use of torture against political prisoners in Burma, and makes a case for reparations for ex-PPs as part of transitional justice. In 2005 AAPP released The Darkness We See: Torture in Burma?s Interrogation Centers and Prisons, a report detailing torture and ill-treatment inflicted on political prisoners in interrogation centers and prisons based on interviews with 35 ex-PPs. The 2005 report made a number of recommendations to the then military government regarding the imprisonment and mistreatment of political prisoners, however these were largely ignored. Rather than rectifying the mistakes of the previous military regimes, President Thein Sein?s government continued to imprison and mistreat those who sought to defend their civil and political liberties. In fact in early 2015, the United Nations (?UN”) High Commissioner for Human Rights observed that although Burma had promised to end the era of political prisoners, it ?now seems intent on creating a new generation by jailing people who seek to enjoy the democratic freedoms that have been promised.” Thus the ex-PP population in Burma continued to grow. Since the NLD-led government assumed power following their landslide win in the November 2015 general elections, a number of political prisoners have been released. A new dawn of a Burma free from political prisoners finally seems within reach, and it is hoped that the new government will oversee the release of all remaining political prisoners in the near future. In light of the recent wave of political prisoner releases, and given the reintegration issues faced by ex-PPs post-release, this report by AAPP and FPPS and its recommendations comes at a pertinent and crucial time..... Chapter 1 (Overview of the Political Prisoner Situation) provides an overview of the political prisoner situation in Burma from the 1962 military takeover to the post-2011 quasi-civilian Burma Government ruled by President Thein Sein, during which time civil and political rights were routinely quashed and those attempting to exercise their fundamental freedoms were systematically imprisoned..... Chapter 2 (Methodology) outlines the objective, scope and methodology of the report. The primary objective was to examine the life experiences of ex-PPs in Burma, including the human rights violations encountered following arrest, during interrogation and in prison, and the difficulties faced since their release. The research, carried out between January 2014 and July 2015, involved surveying and interviewing ex-PPs throughout Burma and along the Thailand-Burma border. The final research yielded 1,621 surveys and six comprehensive interviews, the findings of which inform this report..... Chapter 3 (Abuse of the Judicial System) reveals how the judicial system in Burma, characterized by institutionalized corruption, inefficiency and military influence, allowed previous governments to criminalize and impede the activities undertaken by those that have sought to protect their civil and political rights. Based on the findings from the data, this chapter describes the circumstances under which the ex-PPs were arrested and imprisoned, highlighting the way in which the authorities have abused the judicial system in Burma in order to silence political dissidents..... Chapter 4 (Torture in Interrogation Centers and Prisons) describes how, despite the legal framework prohibiting torture of prisoners, political prisoners have been subject to torture in Burma?s interrogation centers and prisons, not only to extract confessions and information, but also to punish, degrade and humiliate. The data provides strong evidence as to the widespread and systematic manner in which torture has been employed in Burma against activists..... Chapter 5 (Mistreatment in Prison) reveals the illtreatment endured by political prisoners in Burma?s prisons, where detainees are frequently denied their basic rights. The prison authorities systematically mistreat and dehumanize political prisoners, violating not only international standards for prisoners but also Burma?s own standards set out in domestic law. Squalid prison conditions, a basic lack of hygiene, inadequate provisions of food and water, and poor levels of healthcare are major causes of a myriad of physical and psychological illnesses amongst detainees..... Chapter 6 (Barriers to Reintegration) depicts the grim reality political prisoners are forced to live in post-release. The multitude of restrictions ex-PPs face, in addition to the lingering effects of imprisonment, and social stigmatization, pose major barriers to successful reintegration. Ex-PPs in Burma face a series of limitations including travel restrictions; denial of education and employment opportunities; financial hardships; social exclusion; family tensions and ongoing health issues..... Chapter 7 (Reparations) makes the case for reparations for ex-PPs as part of transitional justice in Burma, outlining Burma?s legal obligations to provide reparations under international law. While civil society organizations have been providing services to ex-PPs in the absence of government led initiatives, it remains the responsibility of the Burma Government to provide such support as part of wider reparations. Government-led reparations for ex-PPs in other countries are examined, along with their relevance to Burma..... Chapter 8 (Conclusion) concludes that even after political prisoners have been released in Burma, their hardships are far from over, and the road to reintegration is made almost impossible by a number of stringent restrictions placed upon them by the authorities, and the lingering effects of their harsh imprisonment. Thus, it is crucial that assistance is made available to them to ensure successful reintegration and national reconciliation..... Chapter 9 (Recommendations) makes a number of key policy recommendations to the new Burma Government in terms of providing reparations to ex-PPs and their families as part of transitional justice. Based on the research, these recommendations encompass satisfaction, restitution, rehabilitation, compensation, and guarantees of nonrepetition, which if implemented will bring about positive change for ex-PPs and prove the government?s commitment to producing national reconciliation. Recommendations are also made to political parties and civil society groups in Burma, and to the international community, to urge the Burma Government to implement the recommendations and to assist ex-PPs and their families where possible in the interim."