Prominent Arakanese women’s activist arraigned in incitement trial

By Admin 04 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
4 December 2023, Sittwe

Daw Nyo Aye, chairwoman of the Rakhine Women’s Network (RWN), who was arrested by police and charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, was arraigned at the Sittwe Township Court on December 4.

During Monday’s hearing, when the judge asked Daw Nyo Aye if she was guilty of attending an event to mark the 56th anniversary of “rice crisis day” in Arakan State, she testified that she was not guilty, according to Daw Saw Mya Thandar, the daughter of Daw Nyo Aye.

“My mother testified that she was not guilty. The judge told my mother that if she is not guilty, she must show evidence. My mother told the judge that she has two witnesses,” Daw Saw Mya Thandar said.

The next hearing has been scheduled for December 18, when defence witnesses will be examined.

A prominent women’s advocate, Daw Nyo Aye was taken from her home by police on August 15 for questioning over an event in Sittwe held two days earlier to celebrate the anniversary of “rice crisis day” in Arakan State. The head of Sittwe’s No. 1 police station filed a lawsuit against her under Section 505 of the Penal Code.

Daw Nyo Aye has high blood pressure as well as fatty liver disease, and with her health condition critical, she sent a letter to the township Prisons Department on October 22 seeking medical treatment, but has yet to receive medical treatment.

“She sprained her leg and had to wear a bandage at the court hearing today and couldn’t even walk. She sent a letter to the township Prisons Department on October 22 seeking medical treatment, but no permission has been granted. I want the judge to deliver a verdict with respect to my mom as soon as possible,” Daw Saw Mya Thandar told DMG.

Student leaders from the Arakan Students Union, who organised the “rice crisis day” event, have gone into hiding as the junta issued arrest warrants and attempted to arrest them. An official from the Arakan Students Union told DMG that Myanmar’s military-run courts are not a forum where justice plays out.

“If the judiciary in Myanmar stood for the people, we would come and face the lawsuit regarding the case. Myanmar’s judiciary features dictator as judge, so we cannot allow ourselves to be arrested,” he added.
There are 128 people in Arakan State who have been charged under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act or Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, according to a DMG tally.