Arakan State tallies most human rights violations in countrywide snapshot from advocacy group

By Admin 20 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
20 December 2023, Sittwe

Network for Human Rights Documentation - Burma (ND - Burma) released a report on December 19 stating that out of the 11 regions and states that experienced regime human rights violations in the week from December 8 to 14, Arakan State had the most, at 17 times.

A total of 50 human rights violations — 17 in Arakan State, 11 in Shan State, nine in Sagaing Region, two each in Mandalay and Ayeyarwaddy regions, and one each in Bago and Magway regions, and Kayah and Kayin states — were reported during the period.

Politician U Aung Thaung Shwe said that as the regime’s human rights violations increase, the number of anti-revolutionaries may also increase.

“The regime has been violating the fundamentals of the Declaration of Human Rights for years and has never observed human rights. Now, the more human rights violations the regime commits, the more people across the country will revolt against the regime,” he added.

According to the ND - Burma report, the regime’s human rights violations included shooting at civilians and homes with heavy weapons and small arms, air strikes, arbitrary arrests, arresting minors, and burning public buildings.

At least 16 civilians were killed and 20 others were injured due to regime forces’ heavy weapons and small arms firings within one week, and among the victims are children.

The regime arrested seven people, including a child, from Arakan State and Tanintharyi Region, who allegedly shared and disseminated news related to the revolution against the military dictatorship on social networks, according to the report.

According to a DMG tally, as of December 18, 28 civilians were killed and 123 others were injured in Arakan State and neighbouring Paletwa Township, Chin State, in junta attacks involving infantrymen, artillery, fighter planes and warships.

Some 100 locals in Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Minbya, Kyaukphyu, Ramree, and Thandwe townships have been arrested by the regime since renewed fighting in Arakan State began last month.

The regime is accused of targeting civilians who are not involved in the fighting in Arakan State, using heavy weapons and small arms fire, and burning homes and food.

“The regime can’t do anything to AA [Arakan Army] during the latest fighting, so they are doing what they want to do to the people in Arakan State,” said a social activist in Arakan State.

It has been about one month since the regime blockaded roads and waterways in Arakan State, where locals are facing food shortages and increasingly steep price hikes.