Rights group says 26 civilians missing, 24 killed in military custody during Tatmadaw-AA conflict

By DMG 16 Jul 2021

DMG Newsroom
16 July 2021, Sittwe 

Twenty-six civilians have been reported missing and 24 others were killed in custody during some two years of clashes between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State, according to the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters group. 

The missing include 18 people from Tinma village in Kyauktaw Township; two others from Kyauktaw Township; and two each from Yaw Chaung, Hpar Pyo and Naram villages in Myebon Township, according to figures compiled by the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association. 

Seven people from Kyauktaw Township, six from Mrauk-U Township and 11 from Minbya Township died in military detention, the group said. 

“A total of 26 civilians went missing during the fighting between the military and the Arakan Army and their whereabouts are still unknown. Twenty-four people were tortured to death in military detention,” said U Mrat Tun, an official from the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association. 

A total of 154 civilians in Arakan State were charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army, U Mrat Tun added. 

“There are 60 prisoners in Sittwe Prison, 27 in Mrauk-U Prison, 27 in Kyaukphyu Prison and 10 in Buthidaung Prison who were charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law,” he said. 

“My husband has been in custody for over a year now. He was arrested on suspicion of having links with the AA. My husband has nothing to do with AA,” said Ma Oo Khaing Kyawt, the wife of U Khin Maung Thein. “He is currently on trial in Mrauk-U Prison. I want them released.” 

Twenty-one cases brought under the Counter-Terrorism Law and involving allegedly illegal ties to the formerly terrorist-designated Arakan Army have been dropped since the ethnic armed group was de-listed, the Arakan State military council said last month.