Arakanese organisations call for release of protesters

by Phanida
Monday, 18 August 2008 20:14

Chiang Mai – Several Araknese political organizations on Monday roundly condemned the
junta for arresting and imprisonment of five protesters in Taungup, Arkana State and call on
their immediate release.

The Bangladesh based Rakhine Women's Union (RWU) said it is unfair and unethical to arrest
and sentence peaceful protesters - Ni Ni May Myint, Maung Maung Thet, Chit Maung Maung,
Moe Naing Soe and Than Lwin - to two and-a-half years in prison for marching in a procession
on August  8 this year.

"The peaceful procession does not tantamount to creating unrest and disturbing public
tranquility. They marched in procession peacefully. But the regime arrested them and
sentenced them to prison terms unfairly. We condemn the action and demand their immediate
release," Saw Mra Raza Linn, RWU Chairwoman said. 

The Sandoway District Court sentenced the protesters to imprisonment for "inducing to commit
crime against public tranquility and unlawful assembly". 

Similarly the 'Arakan League for Democracy' (ALD) which won 11 seats in the 1990 general
elections reiterated its call for a dialogue to resolve the current political imbroglio. 

"They are not doing anything to resolve the political crisis through dialogue. If they want to
resolve the political crisis, they must initiate a dialogue. Otherwise the number of prison inmates
will increase and the people will keep suffering. Dialogue is unavoidable for national
reconciliation. This is the only way out for a peaceful transition to democracy from the current
political impasse," Thein Hlaing, Joint-Secretary of Arakan State ALD said. 

The arrests are being made by the regime in this politically active Rakhine State continuously.
ALD MP-elect Nyi Pu Lay was arrested on August 12 and solo protester Myint Thein Chea and
his wife Ma Htay Htay were arrested on August 15.

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