The Myanmar authorities should stop prosecuting and threatening journalists and human rights defenders for reporting and speaking out about human rights abuses said Fortify Rights in a statement on 3rd January.
The statement said that people investigating the case of the rape and killing of two Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) volunteer teachers, Maran Lu Ra and Tangbau Hkawn Nan Tsin, in Kaungkha village, Nam-Taung Village-Tract in Muse Township, Northern Shan State, have been threatened.
Matthew Smith, executive director of Fortify Rights said: We’re seeing worrying trends. Wartime violence against civilians is continuing and the Myanmar military is increasingly using the justice system as a tool to silence critics.
“The military’s response to the tragic death of these women is to restrict basic freedoms and that’s telling.”
He continued: “The authorities need to protect people’s rights, not promote a culture of fear and impunity.”
The statement said that regarding human rights abuses in conflict areas instead of investigating and taking action against violators the authorities are threatening investigators, which is a worrying situation.
Fortify rights also called for an independent international investigation into alleged violations of international human rights, criminal, and humanitarian law committed by all parties involved in Myanmar’s various ongoing armed conflicts.
In the case of the rape and murder of the two Kachin teachers in Kaungkha village, both villagers and human right groups allege that soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 503 committed the crimes.
On 28th January a government newspaper issued a statement saying that the Tatmadaw (Burma Army) would take action based on the rule of law against those who accuse soldiers and write about it after the official report has been released by the investigation team.
Fortify Rights also said the government was responsible for the ongoing prosecution of Brang Shawng, a man from Sout-Ngai-Yan village, Mhaw-Won ward group (1), Hpakant Town in Kachin State. He faces criminal charges for alleging that the military are responsible for the death of his 14-year-old daughter, Ja Seng Ing, who was a grade nine student.
Fortify Rights called for the Burmese Army to withdraw their prosecution of 49-year-old Brang Shaw on 18th December.
Translated by Aung Myat Soe English version written by Mark Inkey for BNI
