‘10 years of imprisonment for a female artist is unfair’

Narinjara News, 14 January 2023

Thandwe district court of Rakhine State recently sentenced a female artist named Ma Shun Sanda (aka Maday Day) to 10 years of imprisonment, which is completely unfair as claimed by her colleagues.

She was imprisoned under section 50 (j) of Anti-Terrorism Act on 30 December 2022. Her fault was she shared a post supporting the fund collection to the NUG and PDF  in social media.

 “My friend (Shun Sanda) was secretly imprisoned by the authority. Her prison term is unfair. Even the relevant news was blocked by the authority. I cannot tolerate such an act,” said a middle-aged woman who is close to her.

32-year-old artist Shun Sanda was arrested from her bakery shop located at ward number 5 by the by junta forces on 27 July last year. Soon after a case was opened at Thandwe city police station by an army officer.


"She was sentenced in a hurried manner. Presently she is inside Thandwe prison. Her health is deteriorating as she can't sleep during the night hours. She is also suffering from the stomach pain.

The authority charged her under the terror laws. But she is a painter only and no connection with violent activities,” added the middle-aged woman.

She is accused of involving with the NUG and PDF in Rakhine State as Shun Sanda supported both the entities by sharing their facebook posts.

A Thandwe resident claimed that she should not be imprisoned for a long time because of a small crime relating to social media activities. Not only an artist, Shun Sanda also runs an online food selling unit in Thandwe town.

At least 10 local residents have been arrested and prosecuted by the military council on suspicion of being associated with the NUG and PDF in Rakhine State and two men along with three women were already sent to the prisons.