100, prosecuted on suspicion of being AA sympathizers, still inside bars

There are more than 100 people, who were arrested and prosecuted on suspicion of being associated with the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State. The human rights activists and the concerned family members are demanding their release as early as possible.

They were picked up from the Rakhine townships of Sittwe, Kyauk Taw, Ann, Maungdaw, Kyauk Phyu, Taungup and Thandwe, informed U Myat Tun, director of Rakhine human rights protection & promotion group.

"They should  be freed. They are of the same nationality as the other Burmese citizens, who have also been charged under the same laws. They should have equal rights in a country. As long as the military junta is not releasing the Rakhine nationals, it can be termed as  a rights violation,” he added.

Over 600 common people were arrested in Rakhine State following the conflicts between the military council forces and AA members  in 2022.

United League of Arakan (ULA/AA)  spokesperson  U Khaing Thukha  on February 27 stated that even after the ceasefire between the two armed groups was signed on 26 November, only 391 people were released by the junta till February. He added that there are still 203 individuals inside the bars.

On 1  August, the military council closed the pending cases of 72 people related to ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and released them. No less than 62 people from  Rakhine State were also facing
charges for being associated with the AA.

Those detained 100 individuals  in various prisons are still being prosecuted under sections  505(b) and  505 (a) of the sedition laws and also sections 17(1) and 17(2) under the unlawful association acts.