Muslim refugees in Bangladesh protest in solidarity with detained Arakan students

By Aung Htein 17 Sep 2020

Aung Htein | DMG
17 September, Sittwe

Dozens of refugees sheltering at a Muslim displacement camp in Bangladesh staged a protest on September 17 against the recent detention of three university students from the Arakan Students’ Union.

The protest was intended to show that Muslims across the border supported the cause of the arrested members of the Arakan Students’ Union, said Ko Maung Kyaw Min, a Muslim student.

“The Arakan students stood up for the truth. This is the reason why we staged a protest and our intention was to show solidarity with them,” he explained.

The three Arakan Students’ Union members were taken into police custody while demonstrating in front of the local government offices in Sittwe on September 9. The trio are currently being held on remand in police custody and face charges under Section 25 of the Natural Disaster Management Law.

Thursday’s protest in Bangladesh saw participants holding placards demanding the release of the three Arakan students, objecting to a Myanmar government they decried as “bloody” and murderous, and calling on others to stand with the students. The demonstration was organised by students from the Muslim refugee camp and about 50 people reportedly took part.

The Myanmar government has also opened cases against students in Yangon and other parts of the country for demonstrations led by the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), which has undertaken campaigns in support of the three detained students in Arakan State.

About 20 students who have participated in recent protests opposing human rights violations in Arakan State have been arrested and/or are facing charges under various criminal statutes including Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, covering incitement to commit an offence against the state.