Reports indicate that certain civil society organizations (CSOs) are currently fleeing, as the Military Council intensifies its efforts to scrutinize and inspect both local and international organizations engaged in development initiatives within Rakhine State.
CSO officials stated that the Military Council entered their office, and conducted an inspection without providing any explanation, leading to their decision to flee due to concerns of unjust accusations.
"Recently there's been a heightened level of scrutiny compared to the past. They conduct checks, whether an organization has a license or not. If the Military Council labels something as 'illegal' just once, it can result in criminal charges. We need to exercise utmost caution in this situation," emphasized an official from a Rakhine-based CSO.
The inspection commenced on November 3rd following reports that the Military Council would initiate surprise inspections of NGOs, INGOs, and CSOs. Organization officials reported that on November 3rd, in Sittwe Township, Military Council troops arrived at the headquarters of NGOs, INGOs and CSOs, conducting inspections.
"The situation is deteriorating day by day, and we can't predict how long it will persist. As long as the military council continues these actions, it will create difficulties," expressed an anonymous woman from an NGO in Sittwe Township, citing security concerns.
Since September, the Military Council has been subjecting NGOs, INGOs, and CSOs to various forms of harassment, including tax audits, scrutinising association registers, and summoning them for questioning.
The Military Council's controversial monitoring, arrests, and legal actions against social activists actively engaged in social assistance, especially related to IDPs in Rakhine State, have raised serious security concerns among these individuals.
"The Military Council not only refrains from providing assistance to IDPs, but also harasses those who are engaged in aiding them. They also appear to use this as a pretext for unrestrained actions. Under the current circumstances, simply performing your duties can result in arrest," stated an official from a CSO in Mrauk U Township.
As a consequence of the Military Council's heightened scrutiny, humanitarian aid efforts could face difficulties, causing harm to those in need.
The Military Council made an announcement on October 28, 2022, stating that CSOs, including NGOs and INGOs, must individually register to adhere to the law while engaging in development activities in the region. However, CSOs have been submitting registration applications for an extended period, but they have faced delays in receiving approval. These delays have hindered their ability to travel and offer humanitarian assistance.
