Conditions after Release

The struggles of political prisoners do not end upon release. Authorities harass women in politics, not only in prison, but also after their release.

As Myat Sapal Moe explains, the challenges of the life of a political prisoner extend beyond the prison walls.

“- Anyone who has been in prison for their political activities will always be a political prisoner. -”
(See appendix-11)

Authorities monitor selected former political prisoners, harassing some even after they find employment.

Cherry, a student activist, got a job at a company after her release from prison in 1993. A day after she got the job, MI personnel visited the company’s officials. The company’s officials were told it was not suitable to employ her because she was a former political prisoner. The MI personnel usually visited her residence and asked about her political beliefs and activities for the future.

Nan Wai Yee, a member of the Labor College Student Union, was arrested in 1991 and sentenced to five years imprisonment. She explains how the MI personnel disturbed her at work after her release from prison.

“I got a job at the Central Floating Hotel and Business Center. MI personnel came to Daw Vicky, the deputy in charge of our department. (They) told her to be careful with me because I had been in politics and I had been imprisoned. Later, Daw Vicky told me through a friend of mine that I couldn’t get any promotion in my work. Then, I quit my job. I didn’t wait until they fired me.”

Most political detainees and prisoners cannot get passports. The exception to this was between 1994 and 1996. Local MI personnel interviewed former political prisoners applying for passports and then issued them. The system was later changed; politicians, former political prisoners and even their family members are blacklisted.

Kaithy Aye, a former political prisoner, applied twice for a passport and was rejected. She describes how she met female police intelligence officer from the Special Branch whom she had met at university, and who knew her case when she went to apply for a passport.

“- When I met her in the Passport Section, she asked me, "Will you apply for a passport?” I said, "Yes". She asked, "Do you think you will get one?" I replied, "I don't know, but I have to try." Finally, I was rejected. -“
(See appendix-6)