Arakanese students released from prison, vow to continue advocacy work

By DMG 11 Mar 2022

DMG Newsroom
11 March 2022, Sittwe

Four students in Arakan State who were released from prison this week after serving sentences for an October 2020 protest say they will continue to work for and give voice to the needs of the people.

The four Arakanese students were released from Sittwe Prison on March 11, said Ko Oo Than Naing, an information officer for Sittwe’s University of Computer Studies.

“Our release date was March 13, but we were released early on March 11 because the 13th is a Sunday. We are very happy to be released from prison. I would like to express special thanks to the students and people who have supported us,” he said.

In addition to Ko Oo Than Naing, the three other students are Ko Kyaw Naing Htay, information officer for the Arakan Students’ Union; Ko Mrat Soe Win, joint secretary of the students’ union at Kyaukphyu Education College; and Ko Kaung Tun, a member of the Arakan Students’ Union (Universities – Yangon).

The four were charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 29 of the Natural Disaster Management Law on October 19, 2020, for protesting against an internet access blackout in Arakan State and the conflict between the military and the Arakan Army at the time.

“We are proud and happy to stand up for the people,” said Ko Kyaw Naing Htay.

The students were given two years in prison for incitement under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, and an additional six months under the Natural Disaster Management Law on September 16, 2021.

The four students appealed their convictions to the Sittwe District Court, but the court dismissed the appeal on September 23, and the case was subsequently appealed to the Arakan State High Court. The Arakan State High Court on December 16 reduced by one year the prison terms of the four students.

Ko Kyaw Naing Htay said he would continue to work for the Arakanese people.

“Due to the current political situation, we will reorganise the Arakan Students’ Union and build our strength. How far can we go for the Arakanese people and Arakanese students? We aim to move forward in consultation with students,” he added.
Twenty-one students from the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) were sentenced to prison under Sections 505(a) and (b) of the Penal Code, which cover incitement, for protesting against the internet blackout in Arakan State.

At present, 17 ABFSU students have been released from prison, but Ko Nay Ye Soe, Ko Phone Myint Kyaw, Ko Soe Hla Naing and Ko Kyaw Thiha Ye Kyaw remain behind bars.