Complaint filed with human rights commission over detention of several Kyaukphyu Twsp residents

By Admin 10 Mar 2023

DMG Newsroom
10 March 2023, Kyaukphyu

The Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association has filed a complaint with the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission regarding the arrest of 23 local people from Kyaukpyu Township, Arakan State.

U Myat Tun, director of the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association, said that the 23 Kyaukphyu residents were arbitrarily detained on suspicion of involvement with the Arakan Army (AA), and a complaint on the matter was submitted to the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission in the first week of March. 

“Regarding the detainees, we have submitted the case to the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission based on the testimony of the family members. The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission will investigate the detainees’ [situation] and release them if they are found not guilty. If they are prosecuted, we don’t know exactly what kind of action will be taken,” he explained.

Among the detainees are government employees, fishermen and odd-job workers. They were arrested amid renewed hostilities between the military and AA in 2022, and were subsequently charged with various counts including Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act and Section 505(a) of the Penal Code.

The cases against the Kyaukphyu residents have faced inaction and delay, with court hearings having been postponed several times.

In one instance, the plaintiff in the case against Kyaukphyu resident U Tin Nyunt, who has been charged with incitement under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, could not attend a court hearing on Thursday and the hearing was postponed until March 16, according to family members. 

“I didn’t get a chance to have a conversation with him [U Tin Nyunt],” said one family member. “I have to spend a lot of money to attend the court hearing. I want him released as soon as possible.”

U Tin Nyunt was arrested in September 2022. 

U Soe Win Naing, a resident of Kyaukphyu’s Paikseik Ward, was taken from his home in September and was also charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code. 

“I was six months pregnant when he [U Soe Win Naing] was arrested. I had a miscarriage due to the suffering. I have nothing more to lose. Now, as long as he is not released, I will struggle alone,” said Daw Nilar Moe, the wife of U Soe Win Naing. 

According to a DMG tally, the military detained some 50 people including social activists, ward and village administrators, and civil servants on suspicion of having ties to the AA during the latest period of fighting between the two sides from August to late November of last year. 

As the breadwinners of several families have been arrested, their wives and other family members are suffering from livelihood hardships.

Although there was a commitment between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army to release innocent detained civilians during the ceasefire period, the ethnic armed group has said that the military’s follow-through on that pledge has been weak.