Arakan CSOs go into hiding amid increased junta scrutiny of organisational operations

By Admin 06 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
6 November 2023, Sittwe

Members of some local civil society organisations (CSOs) based in Arakan State have gone into hiding following recent junta raids on CSOs and international aid agencies operating in the state.

Wary members of the organisations have expressed concerns that they might be wrongfully accused in similar raids that have taken place in recent weeks, for which the regime has given no explanation.

A member of a CSO in Arakan State said: “There have been tighter checks recently. They [the regime] also check organisations that have licences. They can easily find fault with us by saying we are illegal. Under such circumstances, we have to exercise extra caution.”

The regime began questioning local and international nongovernmental organisations and CSOs on Friday in the Arakan State capital Sittwe.

“The situation is getting worse day by day. We don’t know how long this will go on. We could be in trouble,” said a female staff member from an NGO in Sittwe who asked for anonymity.

Since September, the regime has been auditing NGOs, INGOs and CSOs in Arakan State, checking if they are licensed and questioning executives.

Charity groups’ members say they are worried for their safety as the regime is keeping an eye on and prosecuting social activists in Arakan State.

“The military council does not help [the people in need], but rather disrupts the people who are helping them,” said a member of a CSO based in Mrauk-U. “They can use our activities as an excuse to prosecute us. We can be arrested for doing our job.”

The junta’s strict checks are also hampering the delivery of humanitarian assistance to local people, according to the affected charitable organisations.

On October 28 of last year, the regime began requiring all CSOs, NGOs and INGOs to register, citing the need to make sure those organisations follow the law in implementing regional development works. Most CSOs have since submitted applications for registration, but the regime has not yet approved them, effectively restricting them from conducting humanitarian operations.