Local CSO condemns military’s arrest and prosecution of Arakanese youths

07 Jan 2022

DMG Newsroom
7 January 2022, Sittwe 

The arrest of several youths in Arakan State, including the chairman of the Taungup Youth Network, constitutes unjust suppression, the All Arakan Youth Organizations Network (AAYON) said in a statement on January 7. 

AAYON Acting Officer-in-Charge Ma Phyo Ei San condemned the Myanmar military’s arrests and prosecution of the youths, saying they were linked to anti-regime forces without any evidence. 

“The AAYON condemns the Myanmar military’s arrest of young people working for local development, accusing them of being members of the People’s Defence Force (PDF),” she said. 

Ko Min Ko Oo, chairman of the Taungup Youth Network, has spearheaded regional development activities, including youth capacity-building, humanitarian work and environmental protection efforts in Taungup Township. 

He was detained on December 14 over allegations that he provided funding to the PDF, and has been charged under Section 50(j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. 

“Ko Min Ko Oo was unjustly arrested. Police said they did not find any links to the PDF group on his mobile phone or laptop. I want him released as soon as possible,” said Ma Phyo Nandar, a member of the Taungup Youth Network. 

The AAYON statement said that deliberate delays in court proceedings had been used against Arakanese youths in the past. 

At least nine people in Arakan State, including Ko Min Ko Oo, have been arrested on suspicion of PDF affiliations and charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law. One of them was released due to lack of evidence.