We, the undersigned, write to express our concern about the reports of ongoing abuses of prisoners in Drapchi Prison.

Many of the original 120 prisoners who were originally housed in Drapchi Prison have been released over the past few years.  However, many still remain in custody and the real number may be higher than we know, including arrests and imprisonment from protests in early 2008.  Most of them are Buddhist monks and nuns and many are considered to be prisoners of conscience, imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression and association.

Prisoners are known to face long, harsh hours of work and poor medical treatment.  Many have been subjected to torture by beatings, hanging from the ceiling, and electric shock batons.  The Buddhist nuns have undergone some of the harshest treatment and we understand that they have been raped and beaten by guards.  Many are beaten for even the slightest infringement of the rules.  Many have died from the abuse.   

The brutal treatment of prisoners has resulted in numerous deaths in custody since 1987. Medical care is often inadequate and provided only at a late stage.  It is also reported that the living conditions are extremely poor and cells are overcrowded and unsanitary.  There are testimonies that at some point there were twelve people to one small cell, and of small distribution of poor quality food and allocation of only one set of clothes to the prisoners per year.

We the undersigned respectfully ask you take swift action to provide an impartial investigation into these reported abuses and take immediate steps to stop the physical abuses and torture of monks, nuns, and other prisoners. We ask that the results of that investigation be made public, and that you provide adequate medical care, clothing and food for all prisoners. 

Thank you for your immediate attention and action on these matters.