NarinjaraNews, March 30 ,2023

The Chief Minister of Rakhine State, U Htein Lin, has issueda warning to social and civil organizations in the region, cautioning them againstfunding the Arakan Army (AA),the National Unity Government(NUG) and its subordinate People’sDefense Forces (PDF). He has also toldthem to avoid associating with any illegal groups.

At around noon on March 28th, approximately 30 civilorganizations based in Rakhine Statewere called to the government office in Sittwe and were issued that warning, according to a civil societyleader from Sittwe who attended the meeting but did not want to be named.

“Civilorganizations rely on various sources of funding including foreign income, to sustain their operations. The Chief Minister warned againstusing the money to support terrorist organizations and illegal associations. Heemphasized the need to respect and abide by existing laws, to avoid any legal consequences inthe future. Furthermore they mustnot provide any support to NUG and PDF, and advised against any association with terrorist organizationsor illegal associations”, he told Narinjara.

An official of another social organization in Sittwe, whoalso requested anonymity, statedthat the meeting included a directive to renew the registration of social organizations, that are currentlyactive in Rakhine State.

“He directed us to review the registration process and complete a new registration. It ismandatory for organizations to renew their registration every five years, andour organization’sregistration period is stillvalid. He also advised us against assisting any illegal organizations or being affiliated with them. Actually, it wasa form of warning.

Furthermore, he elaborated on the potential consequences ofbeing involved with armedorganizations and the punishments that could be imposed under current laws”, the official said.

There are over 600 civil and social organizations in RakhineState.

Narinjara reached out to several civil society organizationsbased in Rakhine State for commenton the Military Council’swarning, but they declined to provide a statement.

The coup Military Council annulled the associationregistration law that was passed by thePyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union) in 2014, and instead introduced a new association registration law onOctober 28th, 2022.

Section 38 of the new law states that civil societyorganizations that are registered mustrefrain from directly or indirectly communicating with or providing support to individuals or organizations that carryarms against the state, those designated by the state as committing terroristacts, and illegal associations along with their members.

The Military Council has warned that officials of relevantorganizations found guilty of violatingany of the prohibitions outlined in the new law may face imprisonment for up to 5 years, a maximum fine of 5 millionkyats, or both punishments together. Additionallythe organization may be liquidated, and its assets may be confiscated.