The Tatmadaw and the AA in Arakan State have been “locking horns” with each other for over six months at the expense of local people have been facing human rights violations, according to a statement released by a group of civil society organizations on 5 July.
The Tatmadaw’s arrests of suspicions civilians with alleged links to the AA is a form of encroaching on villager’s human rights, said Maung Saung Kha, executive director of the Athan, an activist group that advocates for freedom of expression.
“A big problem is arresting villagers based on suppositions, which is unlawful. They did not have proper arrest warrants and civilians died during their internment. According to verified records, the death toll of civilians during detention reached 14, he said.
Meanwhile, the government cutoff Internet services in war affected areas in Arakan State, it highlights the violations of human rights against Arakanese people, he added.
During the time the Tatmadaw’s held villagers, 14 died. They were seven men from Kyauktan village in Rathedaung Township, three men from Lekka village in Mrauk-U village, two men from Pauktaw Pyin village, one man each from Minthar Taung village in Kyauktaw Township and Pan Myaung village in Minbya Township.
The deaths of civilians during confinement means the Tatmadaw is blatantly committing war crimes and the government has a responsibility to right the wrongs of the deaths of civilians, Maung Saung Kha said.
“The government needs to take accountability for the Tatmadaw’s infringement of human rights against civilians,” he added.
A total of fifteen CSOs said in their joint statement that they seriously condemned the violations of human rights in Arakan State including the arrests and unlawful detention of civilians, torture, prohibiting humanitarian aid and cutting off the Internet.
The statement also demands the government’s military force to comply the Geneva Convention for armed groups during a war, to stop offensive attacks and violence and to seek a solution immediately through a dialogue.
The CSOs also demanded to have detained villagers released immediately, to lift the Internet ban in war affected areas and to declare nationwide ceasefire.
