47 people arrested for alleged ties to Arakan Army walk free in junta gesture on NCA anniversary

By DMG 16 Oct 2021

DMG Newsroom
16 October 2021, Sittwe 

Forty-seven people who were arrested on suspicion of illegal affiliations with the Arakan Army (AA) and charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law have been released, according to Arakan State civil society organisations. 

The released prisoners number 37 from Kyaukphyu Prison, three from Thandwe Prison and seven from Sittwe Prison. They were released on Friday evening and Saturday morning. 

The detainees are from Kyaukphyu, Rathedaung, Ramree, Taungup, Sittwe, Ponnagyun and Pauktaw townships in Arakan State. 

“I am very happy and have been waiting for this day. Now my husband has been released,” said Ma Khin Myo Oo, the wife of Ko Soe Maung from Kalarpon village in Ramree Township. “I feel sorry for those who are still being detained. I want them released as soon as possible.” 

Marking the sixth anniversary of the signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) on October 15, Myanmar’s military regime announced that it was dropping charges against 114 people arrested on suspicion of having illegal ties to ethnic armed groups, including both NCA signatories and non-signatories. 

Among the cases closed, there are 63 individuals with alleged ties to the Arakan Army but not all of them have yet been released. 

The individuals allegedly linked to the Arakan Army should have been released a long time ago, said the writer Wai Hun Aung, a well-known philanthropist in Arakan State, who noted that the Arakan Army was removed from the government’s list of terrorist groups more than seven months ago, on March 11. 

“They should be released since the Arakan Army was de-designated as a terrorist organisation. The Central Committee for Counter Terrorism should drop charges against the individuals accused of having links with the Arakan Army and release them,” he added. 

More than 200 people were arrested and charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law after being accused of associating with the AA during some two years of fighting between the ethnic armed group and the Myanmar military in Arakan and Chin states. 

The military has undertaken a process of withdrawing some terrorism charges in Arakan State following its decision to de-list the the Arakan Army and its political wing, the United League of Arakan (ULA). 

Still, scores of people arrested and charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law for alleged AA links have yet to be released, according to Arakan State civil society organisations. 

U Kyaw Lwin, a former Arakan State lawmaker for Kyaukphyu Township, said the move to drop charges against 63 people coinciding with the NCA anniversary was a good omen for peace prospects between the formerly warring sides. 

“I see this as a time of mutual understanding between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army. In such a situation, the military council has already shown leniency, so the rest should be released,” the ex-legislator added.