Family Visits

Political prisoners are sent to prisons far from their families, making it difficult for family members to meet their loved ones in prisons and support them with food and medicine.

The lonely political prisoners are briefly comforted when they have the chance to meet with their family members. However, family visits usually last only a few minutes. Prisoners are ordered to talk about personal and family affairs. They are not allowed to talk about prison conditions or politics.

Dr. Khin Mar Kyi expresses how she felt when her family members visited her in Mandalay prison.

“- If we wanted to know outside news, we had to ask our family members who came to see us. They also told us not to talk about politics. If we did, they would threaten us with cancellation of meetings. If we talked more than we were allowed we were also threatened with an extension of our punishments. So we didn't manage to ask about these kinds of things. I was very angry about the fact that I could not meet people and could not read books in the cell. -“
(See appendix-7)

San San Nweh states that prison authorities were oppressive during family visits.

“– during family visits, we were only allowed to talk about family affairs and our general well being. Before we met our family members, we had to sign {on paper} that we would not talk about the conditions inside prison, or else action would be taken. Even today prisoners have to sign agreements before family visits. -“
(See appendix-13)

The prisoners have to rush in talking with their family members, taking food and other things during the short time of a family visit.

Dr. Khin Mar Kyi explains:

“- At the beginning, my two daughters and my mother- they all came to see me in the same week. My younger daughter, as soon as she saw me she wailed helplessly. She was still sharing a bed with me. Of course, she would cry. As soon as I saw my daughter, I felt very bad. But as a mother, I didn't want to shed tears in front of them and I told her that I didn't go to prison because I did bad things. Don't be sad. Be proud of me. I didn't do anything bad and don't cry. The most important thing is when I am not there; you have to study hard and the like. We could only see one another for 15 minutes. 5 minutes to give things to me. 10 minutes to talk. 15 minutes in all. -“
(See appendix-7)

During the early period of their arrests, political prisoners are not allowed to have family visits at all. Moreover, they are not allowed to receive anything from their families.

Daw Aye Aye Win, detained in 1996 for distributing photos, audiotapes and videotapes of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s speeches, recalls her family visits.

“- There were also difficulties during my family visits. There was a quarrel during my family visit. Some wardens did not allow for food supported by my family. Then, I was very angry and said, “Take it all, I will not take my food.” -“
(See appendix-4)