Arakanese women’s activist arrested for joining ‘rice crisis day’ event

By Admin 15 Aug 2023

DMG Newsroom
15 August 2023, Sittwe

Daw Nyo Aye, chairwoman of the Rakhine Women’s Network, was taken from her home in Sittwe by police on Tuesday afternoon and has reportedly been charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, an incitement provision.

Daw Nyo Aye was arrested for attending an event to mark the 56th anniversary of “rice crisis day” in Arakan State on August 13, and she is currently being held on remand, according to a family member.

“She was taken from her home by the police at around 12 noon on August 15 for questioning regarding the event to celebrate the 56th anniversary of ‘rice crisis day’ in Arakan State on August 13,” said the family member. “The police filed a lawsuit against her under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code at Sittwe’s No.1 police station. She was remanded by the court for one week and the next hearing has been scheduled for August 22.”

August 13 marked the 56th anniversary of “rice crisis day” in Arakan State, a date of tragic brutality in 1967, under the rule of dictator General Ne Win and his Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP). Daw Nyo Aye attended an event to mark the day organised by the Arakan Students Union.

Human rights activists criticised Daw Nyo Aye’s arrest as a flagrant violation of human rights by the military junta.

“Arresting and prosecuting a person for doing work that should be done for their nation is an unjust violation of human rights by the military regime. This is contrary to Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” said U Myat Tun, director of the Rakhine Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association.

“She [Daw Nyo Aye] was arrested for attending an event to mark the 56th anniversary of the rice crisis day. She does a lot for women’s issues,” said Daw Saw Pu Sein, patron of the Women’s League of Arakan. “She is old and her health is not very good, so I am worried. We also request that her [potential] sentence be reduced.”

Daw Nyo Aye has reportedly been transferred to Sittwe Prison.