Generation Wave says number killed lawlessly in Arakan exceeds 20 in three months

By Min Tun 23 Dec 2020

Min Tun | DMG
23 December 2020, Sittwe

Twenty-one people were killed lawlessly in the three months from June 16 to September 15 in Arakan State, the civil society youth organisation Generation Wave said in a report released on December 21.

A total of 46 people were killed lawlessly nationwide over those three months — 21 from Arakan State; 15 from Shan State; three from Mandalay Region; two from Sagaing Region; and one each from Kayin State and Ayeyarwady Region, the report said, making Arakan State the jurisdiction of highest incidence.

Ma Ei Ei Moe, secretary of Generation Wave, said the killings were a consequence of armed conflict.

“Clashes and conflict are occurring in Arakan State. So, there are arrests citing security reasons in such affected areas, resulting in lawless killings. It can be concluded that it is a consequence of the war especially,” she said, referring to hostilities between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army that began in late 2018.

Daw Khin Saw Wai, the Pyithu Hluttaw lawmaker for Rathedaung Township, said: “The main reason is that clashes are occurring there. Civilians have been charged for having Unlawful Association ties. If there is no fighting, such cases will decrease.”

“More violations of human rights are seen in war-affected areas,” the MP noted. “So, it is important to have rule of law. It is necessary to take action according to the law if there is a human rights breach to ensure that such cases decline.”

As many as 124 people have been unlawfully detained over the three-month period, including 23  members of students’ unions from various parts of Myanmar who participated in protests objecting to human rights abuses and conflict in Arakan State; eight who are otherwise human rights activists; two politicians; and one journalist, the report said.

Of these unlawful arrests, which have in some cases included subsequent indictments, trial and sentencing/imprisonment, 33 cases involved charges brought by the military; five cases each were brought by the police and ethnic armed groups; and two each were brought by government departments and other groups, Generation Wave said in its report, which focused on public affairs and violations of citizens’ rights in Myanmar.