Arakanese women’s activist facing incitement charge appears before court

By Admin 29 Aug 2023

DMG Newsroom
29 August 2023, Sittwe

Daw Nyo Aye, chairwoman of the Rakhine Women’s Network (RWN), who was arrested by police and charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, was arraigned at the Sittwe Township Court on August 29.

Daw Nyo Aye was remanded by the township court for two weeks at the hearing, and the next court date has been scheduled for September 12, according to family members.

“The police prosecuted my mom under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code during the hearing and the judge accepted the case. The judge has yet to examine my mom and remanded for two weeks,” Ma Saw Mya Thandar, the daughter of Daw Nyo Aye, told DMG.

Daw Nyo Aye, a prominent women’s activist, is an active participant in women’s issues in Arakan State.

She was taken from her home by the police at approximately 12 noon on August 15 for questioning regarding an event to celebrate the 56th anniversary of “rice crisis day” in Arakan State on August 13. The head of the No. 1 police station in Sittwe subsequently filed a lawsuit against her under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code.

“Arresting her [Daw Nyo Aye] for attending the rice crisis day celebration is a conspiracy. This event is celebrated in Arakan State every year,” said Daw Phyu Phyu Than, a female activist in Sittwe.

August 13 marked the 56th anniversary of “rice crisis day” in Arakan State, a date of tragic brutality in 1967, under the rule of dictator General Ne Win and his Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP).

Daw Nyo Aye attended an event to mark the anniversary in Arakan State, organised by the Arakan Students Union.