Demonstrators in Japan protest human rights violations in Arakan State

By Nyan Hein 29 Oct 2020

Nyan Hein | DMG
29 October 2020, Sittwe 

About 80 people led by the Arakan National Democratic Party (Japan) staged a protest against human rights violations in Arakan State in front of the Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo on October 29. 

The demonstrators criticised the Tatmadaw’s alleged burning of houses in Arakan State, extrajudicial killings and illegal arrests, and demanded the restoration of 4G internet access throughout the state. They also called out the government and the Tatmadaw for the recent arrests and imprisonment of student demonstrators. 

“Illegal arrests and torture of innocent people, and obstruction of food and medical supplies sent to internally displaced people are contrary to the Geneva Conventions and we criticised these acts,” ANDP chair Ko Bhone Myint told DMG. 

About 80 people from the ANDP based in Japan, as well as the Kachin National Organization–Japan (KNOJ), the Organisation of Kayin Overseas–Japan (OKOJ) and Pa-O and Shan organisations participated in the protest. 

“It is a Tatmadaw human rights violation, banning internet during the COVID-19 period,” said Ko Soe Lin Sein, leader of the Kayin organisation. 

“The NLD government has cooperated and conspired in these violations. Both the government and the Tatmadaw are violating human rights,” he added. 

Demands conveyed in both Myanmar and Japanese languages included a halt to Tatmadaw offensives; the immediate restoration of 4G internet; protection of IDPs; and allowing access to to both local and foreign journalists, among others. 

Myanmar citizens living in Japan also staged a protest in front of the Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo on June 25, calling for an end to military offensives in Arakan and Chin states.