Lu Htet Naing, Narinjara News, 25March 2025 

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) has stated that over 2,000 political prisoners have perished while in the custody of the military regime during the last four years following the military coup. 

This announcement was made on March 23, commemorating the 25th year since the AAPP's establishment. 

"In the last four years, over 28,000 political detainees have been apprehended and convicted. At present, over 22,000 political prisoners continue to be held in captivity. A minimum of 2,019 political prisoners have perished while in custody," the statement said. 

The AAPP also mentioned that following the military coup on February 1, 2021, the junta engaged in widespread and systematic human rights abuses, driving the nation into one of its gravest human rights crises. 

The statement outlined how the military regime has capriciously changed and implemented laws to stifle opposition, illegally detained and tortured political prisoners, and enforced unfair penalties.

Furthermore, the AAPP underscored various atrocities carried out by the military junta, such as sexual violence against women, widespread murders of innocent civilians, and genocidal actions aimed at oppressed groups. The junta has intentionally targeted residential neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, and places of worship with gunfire, ground attacks, and airstrikes, forcibly displacing civilians from their residences. The statement stressed that these actions represent major war crimes and crimes against humanity.

March 23, 2025, signifies the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). 

The statement additionally highlighted that during its 25-year existence, the AAPP has continuously fought for the liberation of political prisoners, offered psychological and material assistance, and contributed to the healing, rehabilitation, and reintegration of ex-political prisoners and their families into society, in accordance with the organization's founding goals.