Months after two villagers were allegedly shot and killed by the Burma Army the Myanmar Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has been hesitating in releasing a statement about the incident.
Dr. Nyan Zaw, a member of MHRC, said the commission is still investigating the incident in southern Mon State’s Ma Gyi Chaung Wa village located in Ye Township. He said MHRC has interviewed 14 residents of the village where the shootings took place, including the abbot of Toe Tat Ywa Thit Monastery, but it is waiting to release a statement until after interviewing military officers that are directly involved.
“We only met with the battalion commander. We asked them what kind of sentence will be given at the court martial but they didn’t answer. We don’t yet know the full story so we can’t release a statement.”
Villagers U Moe and Maung Chit Soe were allegedly killed on 8 March by Captain Zaw Myo Htet from Light Infantry Battalion 280 (LIB-280). At the time of their deaths they left their homes for a midnight fishing trip.
On 17 March, Ye Township Police chief informed reporters that accused Zaw Myo Htet was charged with murder but later this was believed to be reduced to homicide.
Nai Soe Thein, who has been independently assisting the case, said despite persistent inquiries about the status of the investigation to both the MHRC and military there has been little change.
“It’s been four months since the incident took place but there haven’t been any developments. We have visited the MHRC and the government’s crime [department] regarding these murders in Ma Gyi Chaung Wa.”
When Nai Soe Thein questioned the coastline regional command on 4 June he was told that the military hasn’t even started an investigation because they haven’t received orders to do so.
Nai Soe Thein would like to see Zaw Myo Htet stand trial in a civilian court which he said would be fairer.
Reporting by Mon Htaw for MNA
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI Staff
