Junta prosecutes at least 16 locals in Arakan State since renewed hostilities

By Admin 07 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
7 December 2023, Sittwe

At least 16 people — seven from Sittwe and nine from Kyaukphyu — have been charged under Sections 505 (a) and (b) of the Penal Code during renewed hostilities between the military and Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State. The actual number of people in Arakan State charged under these provisions, which cover incitement, is likely higher.

“The reason for the arrest remains unknown,” said a family member of Ko Phyo Min Zaw, one of the Sittwe detainees. “I thought he would be released, but he has been charged under Section [505] (a) of the Penal Code. He is currently detained at Sittwe’s No. 1 police station and is not allowed to meet family members,”

Ko Kyaw Nyein Oo and Ko Phyo Min Zaw, from the Maha Nwe Arakan traditional drum troupe, were arrested by junta soldiers while the two men were sitting at a tea shop in Sittwe’s Mingan Ward on November 30.

The regime has increased its military presence in southern Arakan State, where no fighting has yet been reported but where nine arrests are being linked to the growing armed conflict in Arakan State. 

“The regime has detained several residents in Kyaukphyu and the whereabouts of some detainees are still unknown. The detainees are unable to contact their family members,” said a local man in Kyaukphyu.

The regime has detained at least 70 civilians in Kyaukphyu, Thandwe, Taungup, Ramree, Sittwe, Buthidaung and Ponnagyun townships since clashes began anew on November 13.

Myanmar’s military regime, which stands credibly accused of violating human rights and committing war crimes in Arakan State, is also now making threats to people’s right to information.

The ‘Rakhine Daily’ Facebook page run by the Arakan State military council said on Tuesday that the council is making a list of netizens who have shared, copied and posted on their walls and leave comments on new stories published by local media outlets in Arakan State, and that action would be taken against them.

“The regime has arrested some people on suspicion. It is very bad that the regime is filing lawsuits against local people in Arakan State who do not know about NUG and CRPH. I would like to say that the action of the military regime is a vulgar act because they are working to arrest those who share and like the news,” said a local in Arakan State.

As the regime arrests civilians and targets NGOs, INGOs and civil society groups, humanitarian activities in Arakan State have ground to a halt and people displaced by fighting are facing many difficulties.