Calls for justice after murder of female teacher in Rathedaung Twsp

By Admin 18 Sep 2023

DMG Newsroom
18 September 2023, Rathedaung

Family members, local residents, the education community and the Arakan Students Union are calling for the perpetrator to be identified as soon as possible in the recent murder of a female junior assistant teacher from Kyunpaw Pauktaw Village, part of Arakan State’s Rathedaung Township.

The victim has been identified as Daw Hnin Yu Nwe, 37. She is believed to have been killed while on her way to Panphawpyin Village from Pauktaw Village on the morning of September 16.

“We have strong feelings the murder. I don’t know what kind of mind the person who committed the crime had. We want the perpetrator to be identified as soon as possible,” said Daw Mel Ni, a family member of the victim.

In a statement on September 17, the Arakan Students Union said the murder was an act that threatens the security of women in Arakan State, demanding that the perpetrator be identified and prosecuted.

“Regarding such cases, it is necessary for the judiciary to be careful. Crimes will be reduced only if the perpetrators can be identified,” said an official from the Arakan Students Union.

The Arakan Students Union has said that such crimes are the product of the lack of rule of law in Arakan State.

The Education Network for Arakan also issued a statement on September 17, asking Myanmar’s military rulers to identify and take action against the perpetrator or perpetrators.

“What we want is for the officials to identify the real culprits and give them the punishment they deserve, rather than arresting a person [without strong evidence] because of the pressure from the education community and the public,” said Daw Mar Mar Win, joint secretary of the Education Network for Arakan.

“We are now very insecure and don’t even dare to go out at night,”  said Daw Khin Khin Nu, a female teacher from Kyukpaw Pauktaw Village. “We feel that no government is taking responsibility and accountability for educational staff members.”

The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) has reportedly launched an investigation into the killing.

“A pair of Thai-made slippers, a gas lighter and a cheroot were found at the scene where the female teacher was killed. I can’t say how we are investigating yet,” said a member of the ULA/AA.

Amid a widespread sense of rising crime in Arakan State, critics of the justice system say the identification and prosecution of the perpetrators is weak.

“As for me, I see that these kinds of cases are happening because the rule of law is weak. Local governments must adhere to international women’s security issues,” said a woman’s rights activist.