Philanthropists urge regime to allow charities to provide unfettered aid

By Admin 06 Sep 2023

DMG Newsroom
6 September 2023, Sittwe

Arakanese philanthropists used International Day of Charity on September 5 to call for allowing those doing social work in Arakan State to help freely, without facing any hindrance.

The philanthropists and their associated entities are said to be having difficulty doing charity activities due to authorities’ suspicious treatment of their work, including extensive monitoring and arrests.

“When patients are transported to the hospital, the authorities check on the philanthropists on the way, sometimes causing so much delay that the lives of the patients are endangered. We would like to ask those concerned to ease these difficulties,” said Ko Nyi Pu, chairman of the Phyusin Myitta social organisation, a local charity in Kyaukphyu.

Social assistance programming has become less robust in Arakan State due to the military regime arresting and prosecuting people active in charitable activities, including IDP aid. The regime has regularly used allegations of ties to the Arakan Army to justify detaining humanitarians. 

The regime detained several social activists including the treasurer of Garuna Network in Maungdaw and charged him under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act in 2022. Ko Ann Thar Gyi, a resident of Minbya and a philanthropist, was sued under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code.

Five philanthropists, including the well-known writer Wai Hun Aung, were detained by the junta on May 23 of this year while they were on their way to assist people affected by Cyclone Mocha, and were released the next day.

“The military junta sees the charitable organisations in Arakan as supporting the Arakan Army. Philanthropists are no longer free to do charity work because of these junta views,” Ko Ann Thar Gyi said.

The junta also promulgated a new Organization Registration Law in October 2022 in a move aimed at tightening its control over charities and civil society organisations. According to the law, any organisation of more than five people must be registered, and failure to do so will result in a prison sentence of up to three years.

The Organization Registration Law states that direct or indirect communication with armed organisations that have been declared illegal by the government is prohibited, and organisations that do not comply can be sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of K5 million.

“The new Organization Registration Law and the control of charities by the military junta are sad; that philanthropists are facing restricted areas to work in,” said Thabawanadi Sayadaw, a philanthropist and Buddhist monk.

Philanthropists are calling for local and international groups to be allowed to travel freely as humanitarian aid is widely needed in Arakan State.

Cyclone Mocha, which made landfall on May 14, destroyed thousands of homes and buildings in Arakan State, affecting more than 1.1 million people. Storm victims remain in need of food, shelter and other assistance for recovery.