12-year-old’s suspected murder mystery remains unsolved in Sittwe

By DMG 23 Apr 2021

DMG Newsroom
23 April 2021, Sittwe

The suspected murder of a 12-year-old girl in the Arakan State capital Sittwe remains unsolved some 10 months after the tragedy, according to relatives of the victim.

Ma Khin Soe Nwe went missing while hawking snacks in June of last year. She was found with head injuries at a construction site the following day, and died in hospital.

Family members have filed a complaint with No. 1 Police Station in the state capital but justice remains elusive, said the victim’s father, U Maung Win Htay.

“Police have given different excuses whenever I’ve gone to the police station. At first, I went to the police station frequently to learn the progress in their investigation. We can’t afford to hire a lawyer. I want the truth to be revealed as soon as possible,” he said.

Police have opened a case under Section 326 of the Penal Code for causing grievous harm, and have also identified a suspect, but they have not been able to arrest him, said lawyer Daw Mya Thuzaw of the Legal Clinic (Myanmar).

“We have frequently asked the police if they have been able to trace the suspect. They said they can’t because of the current political situation,” said Daw Mya Thuzar.

In December, a 16-year-old girl was raped by two men in Ann Township, and one of the rapists remains at large some five months after the crime, said lawyer U Kyaw Hsan Naing of Thazin Legal Institute.

The inaction of authorities encourages sex offenders to re-offend with impunity, said the Rakhaing Women’s Initiative Organization (RWIO) chairwoman, Saw San Nyein Thu.

“There have been repeated cases of child rape in Arakan State. The failure to take effective action against the offenders encourages repeated offences. The rule of law is critically important. Some don’t speak out while they have witnessed crimes. This is also a contributing factor to repeated crimes,” she said.

The RWIO said perpetrators could not be held accountable in some 30 cases reported to the organisation in 2017-18.

In December of last year, women’s rights activists called on authorities to step up efforts to end sexual violence against women and bring justice for victims in Arakan State.

DMG was unable to contact the No. 1 Police Station to learn more about the progress of the investigation into the 12-year-old victim’s death.