Myanmar: Our continuing work for people deprived of liberty and their families
Every person deprived of liberty deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of the reason for their arrest and detention. By definition, detainees are potentially vulnerable. They are not in a position to manage their own lives and depend on the detaining authorities for their daily needs, living conditions, and physical and mental well-being. At the same time, systemic failings or gaps in detention facilities, procedures and processes may affect all detainees to some degree, regardless of their individual situation.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been visiting detainees to monitor their conditions of detention for more than 140 years. We currently visit detainees in over 60 countries around the world. In line with our mandate and our role as guardian of international humanitarian law (IHL), people detained in connection with armed conflict or other violence are our priority. However, our detention work has expanded, and we strive to support all detainees in a given place of detention, with a focus on those who are most vulnerable. In many cases, the problems faced are common to all detainees, because they are systemic.
In Myanmar, the ICRC has been active for more than 30 years, promoting respect for international humanitarian law and providing assistance to people affected by armed conflict and other violence. As part of our humanitarian activities, we have been visiting places of detention in Myanmar since 1999.
Our visits were suspended at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. However, we continued to provide prisons with assistance related to managing the spread of COVID-19 and maintained dialogue with the authorities regarding the resumption of visits. Regular visits, along with the related bilateral and confidential dialogue with the detaining authorities, resumed in late 2024.
Throughout the period that the visits were suspended, we also continued to support the families of detainees and those released from detention through our Family Visit Programme and Safe Return Home Programme. These programmes continue to remain active.
In 2024, we supported over 5,000 released detainees, helping them return home with dignity. Families who are unable to visit their detained loved ones due to financial constraints may approach us for support. In 2024, we supported over 1,500 families of detainees by covering their travel costs. Since late 2024, we have also exchanged more than 300 Red Cross messages between detainees and their families, helping to restore and maintain essential family links.
Through our continued work in places of detention across Myanmar and globally, we remain committed to promoting the humane treatment of all people deprived of their liberty, based on the principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. Behind every statistic is a person – someone with a family, a story and a right to dignity. Our efforts will continue to support detainees, their families and the detaining authorities, with the goal of improving the conditions of detention for all.
Learn more about our work in Myanmar
- Myanmar: One month on, earthquake survivors face continuing challenges
- Devastating earthquake in Myanmar: ICRC responds to help people on the ground
- Myanmar: One priceless phone call keeps hope alive
- Myanmar: Landmine awareness saves lives amid conflict and natural disasters
- Frequently asked questions about the ICRC's work in Myanmar
