Youths mandate an end to war

By Aung Htein 10 Dec 2019

Aung Htein | DMG
10 December, Sittwe
 
Local residents in Arakan State feel they face a lack of human rights because of arrests of locals with alleged ties to the Arakan Army (AA), young people said in an event commemorating the 71st International Human Rights Day in Sittwe on 10 December.
 
Arakanese CSOs held the event where about 150 people marched along Shu Khin Tha road in Sittwe holding placards saying “Give regard to diversity, Youths for Peace.”
 
“We do not want war. People suffer because of combat in the region. The rate of casualties is higher now. We want to see an end to the war,” Ma Soe Myat Ei Wai, a youth who participated in the marching, told the DMG.
 
The participants said that schools had to be closed and students were losing their right to education due to war in the region.
 
“Arakan State is lagging behind in education. Now, the ongoing fighting has made the situation worse. A large number of people from war affected areas could not go to school now,” said Ma Yee Wai Tun, a participant said.
 
As many as 15 people died while they were held by the Tatmadaw for questioning in Arakan State.
 
The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission conducted inspections into the deaths of six people by gunfire in Kyauktan village, Rathedaugn Township. But the findings said that “There was no violation of human rights.” This raises criticism of CSOs and political parties of Arakan to MNHRC.
 
More than 100 civilians were killed and more than 130 were injured by stray bullets, artillery shells and landmines.