Junta warns Arakan CSOs not to engage with illegal organisations

By Admin 29 Mar 2023

DMG Newsroom
29 March 2023, Sittwe

The Arakan State Administration Council (ASAC) has warned local civil society organisations (CSOs) in Arakan State that it will take action against them under the new Association Registration Law if they engage with non-state armed organisations.

The ASAC met around 40 CSOs, charitable organisations and international agencies operating in Arakan State on Tuesday, and explained to them about the new Association Registration Law.

“They asked about the amount of cash flow from foreign countries to CSOs, and from which countries the funds come. They also told us not to engage with armed organisations,” said a CSO official who attended the meeting.

Junta officials also warned that organisations and their members will be punished with fines and potentially prison sentences of three to five years if they fail to comply with existing laws, said an official from another CSO who attended the meeting.

“They told me to make sure our funds do not reach unlawful associations and terrorist organisations, and not to work for those organisations. They also told me to handle finances in line with the existing laws. They warned that we will be imprisoned for three to five years if we don’t comply with the law,” he said.

The regime in October enacted the Association Registration Law, replacing a similar law enacted in 2014 under U Thein Sein’s quasi-civilian government.

Section 38 of the Association Registration Law bars any organisation from directly or indirectly communicating with or supporting organisations and individuals fighting the government, organisations labelled by the government as “terrorist” or “unlawful associations,” and their members.

The law prescribes up to five years in prison and/or a fine of 5 million kyats for failure to comply with the law. Associations that run afoul of the law can be dissolved, and their assets can be confiscated.

Wan Lark Foundation director U Khaing Kaung San said: “We have to operate according to a work plan. We are required to seek permission one week in advance for travel. But authorities have to grant permission within that week. However, if they give permission only one or two months later, how are we supposed to operate?”

The regime has also met local CSOs in other regions and states, and has also issued similar warnings.

In Taungoo, Bago Region, junta officials met charities on March 24 and explained to them about the new Association Registration Law.