Mother of child rape victim in Gwa Twsp will continue to pursue legal recourse

By DMG 05 Sep 2021

DMG Newsroom
5 September 2021, Gwa 

The mother of a 13-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by her stepfather in Makyayngu village, part of Arakan State’s Gwa Township, has been told not to take part in the case, but says she will continue to press the trial. 

The military council issued a statement on August 1 instructing courts in Arakan State to close out the docket on cases in which the plaintiffs did not apply by September 30 for further investigation. The declaration was reportedly seeking to eliminate cases of prolonged detention and trial amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which has brought legal proceedings to a standstill in many cases. 

However, the mother of the child who was raped in Gwa Township has informed the township police station that she will continue to pursue the case and seek justice for her daughter. 

“This case will never be dropped. I want a quick trial. I want the [perpetrator] to be sentenced quickly,” said the mother of the victim. 

The rape is alleged to have occurred on June 11. The mother of the victim demanded an immediate investigation as the perpetrator was arrested on June 11 but could not be tried for three months.  

“The perpetrator has not been tried yet,” said the victim’s mother. 

The child helped her mother sell fish, and was reportedly raped while her mother went to the seashore to buy fish, according to family members. 

Due to the closure of government offices during the ongoing third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the case has been delayed and if the courts reopen, they will be able to help the victim, said U Nyunt Maung of the Legal Remedy Group (Myanmar). 

“We have informed the family members not to include this case in the cases that will be dropped by the court. We are also prepared to assist in this case. The case is pending in the district court,” he added. 

The mother of the victim, a daily wage earner, has faced livelihood hardship amid the pandemic’s ongoing third wave.