Women’s activist admitted to hospital, returned to prison after falling ill at court hearing

By Admin 18 Sep 2023

DMG Newsroom
18 September 2023, Sittwe

Daw Nyo Aye of the Rakhine Women’s Network (RWN), who was arrested and charged with incitement under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, was reportedly admitted to Sittwe Hospital following a court hearing on Monday.

“At today’s hearing, she [Daw Nyo Aye] developed high blood pressure. She was sent to the hospital. She has high blood pressure and was admitted to get X-rays. Daw Nyo Aye was in critical condition, but she was taken back to Sittwe Prison,” a source close to Daw Nyo Aye told DMG on Monday.

Daw Nyo Aye, who is chairwoman of the RWN, was arraigned at the Sittwe Township Court on September 18 for a third time on Monday. Her next hearing has been scheduled for September 25.

U Myat Tun, director of the Rakhine Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association, said that Daw Nyo Aye should be allowed to receive medical treatment at the hospital.

“When her health is so poor, she should be treated in the hospital. Since she is already old, if she does not receive medical treatment, her health condition may worsen,” he said.

Lawyers note that because a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court, he or she has the right to see his or her family members in addition to receiving medical treatment.

The prison manual stipulates that every inmate has the right to receive appropriate healthcare while incarcerated, and is entitled to a prison visit once a week.

Daw Nyo Aye, a prominent women’s activist, is an active participant in women’s issues in Arakan State.

She was taken from her home by police on August 15 for questioning over an event in Sittwe held two days earlier to celebrate the anniversary of “rice crisis day” in Arakan State. Daw Nyo Aye attended the event, organised by the Arakan Students Union. The head of the No. 1 police station in Sittwe subsequently filed a lawsuit against her under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code.

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).