Rakhine political parties criticize long term imprisonment to Dr. Aye Maung and Wai Hun Aung

By Khaing Roe La 20 Mar 2019

Khaing Roe La/ DMG
March 20, Sittwe 

Prominent Rakhine politician Dr. Aye Maung and author Wai Hun Aung were imposed a long prison term by Sittwe District court on Tuesday, fomenting widespread criticism of Arakan political parties.

The district judge handed out two years imprisonment for incitement and 20 years imprisonment for high treason, but the two sentences will be served concurrently.

U Tun Aung Kyaw, General Secretary of the Arakan National Party (ANP) said the judiciary system of Myanmar differs from the real situation.

“The State’s Constitution provides freedom of expression. However, they were sentenced to such a severe punishment for expressing their desires and beliefs without committing any harmful acts towards anyone or anything. It shows the country’s rule of law has been twisted and its judiciary system is a far cry from reality,” he said.

U Myo Kyaw, secretary of the Arakan League of Democracy (ALD), also said that freedom of expression should be integral under democratic government and they should not be arrested for giving speeches in a public event.

“I think arresting someone for giving speeches should not be a crime under the new democratic government system. The indictment and punishment to them for giving speeches shows that the current government is taking a step backwards and is practicing heavy handedness that was used for several decades in Myanmar,” he said.

Dr. Aye Maung will file an appeal against the punishment imposed by the district court, but the lawyer for the author Wai Hun Aung did not confirm if he will appeal or not.

(Caption_ Wai Hun Aung and Dr. Aye Maung)