NLD calls for release of its three candidates abducted by Arakan Army

By Min Tun 22 Oct 2020

Min Tun | DMG
22 October 2020, Sittwe 

The National League for Democracy (NLD) on October 21 demanded the immediate release of three of the party’s candidates who were abducted by the Arakan Army (AA) in Taungup Township last week. 

Since the detained candidates are not prisoners of war, the AA should release them as soon as possible instead of demanding that they be exchanged for prisoners of war, said Dr. Myo Nyunt, a spokesperson for the ruling NLD. 

“Since the candidates are not prisoners of war, it is unreasonable to ask for a prisoner swap,” he said. “The Arakan Army said the candidates were arrested to be questioned. In fact, witnesses have testified that the women have been beaten since their arrest. Therefore, instead of making an inappropriate request, we demand the unconditional release of these three candidates as soon as possible.” 

The Arakan Army announced on October 19 that it had detained the three for questioning. 

“They have been summoned and brought to testify, and will be detained and investigated as required by circumstances till a certain time,” the AA said in a statement, adding: “We will release the three of them if the NLD government release [sic] politicians, students and innocent people without exception who have been arrested and detained unlawfully for demanding peace.” 

During the abduction of the three candidates on October 14, they were subjected to verbal abuse, beaten with gunstocks, and put in handcuffs, the NLD alleged in a statement on Wednesday. The party added that the AA’s actions could be a major obstacle to advancing Myanmar’s peace process in the future. 

“The Arakan Army’s statement said that it would focus on peace through political means. But the Arakan Army arrested unarmed candidates and beat them,” Dr. Myo Nyunt said. “If this is the case, there may be no mutual trust. Without mutual trust, there will be no progress in the discussions. Without mutual trust, peace talks can be disrupted.” 

In its October 19 statement, the Arakan Army said it would continue to defend “against the Myanmar government and fascist military’s offensive operations,” but adding that “we believe that we will only be able to resolve the political deadlocks through negotiations.” 

Referring jointly to the AA’s political wing, the United League of Arakan, the statement concluded: “Hence, we hereby wish to state that the ULA/AA is ready to start the political dialogue for the peace process by ending all the fighting as soon as possible.” 

The three NLD candidates detained by the Arakan Army last week are Daw Ni Ni May Myint, running for the Pyithu Hluttaw seat in Taungup Township; U Min Aung, a candidate for the Arakan State Hluttaw; and Daw Chit Chit Chaw, contesting the Amyotha Hluttaw seat representing Taungup. 

“I am worried about their safety,” said Daw Mya Yee, the aunt of Daw Ni Ni May Myint. “It would be nice if they could all return home safely. They are innocent and did nothing wrong. I would like to ask the Arakan Army to release the detainees as soon as possible.”