Myat Swe — Petition signatures are being collected to demand the immediate restoration of internet access in four Arakan State townships where residents have been denied connectivity for more than six months.

The petition will be submitted to the President and Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Union Parliament) on January 21, according to Ko Maung Saung Kha, executive director of the free expression advocacy group Athan.

“We got 150 signatures on the day we did the demonstration,” he told DMG, referring to a December 24 protest of the internet blackout, which was organized by Athan in Yangon.

“We have also asked for help from other civil society organizations to collect petition signatures. I hope we can get about 1,000 signatures. We will wait and see the response of relevant authorities 15 days after we submit the petition.”

The Myanmar government cut off internet access in nine townships in Arakan and Chin states on June 21, without giving the public any advance notice. The ban was lifted in five townships on September 1, but the internet blackout still affects Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun and Minbya townships in Arakan State.

The government has said the ban was put in place for the security of the country. But in a statement released on December 21, Athan and other civil society organizations said conflict has continued in the region, with little indication that depriving the affected townships of internet access has helped reduce hostilities. Like the petition now circulating, the statement demanded the immediate restoration of internet access in the four Arakan State townships.

The townships without internet have been plagued by repeated clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army, with the conflict forcing many civilians to flee their homes.

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The Yangon-based group Athan (Voice) led the demonstration on December 24(Photo - Myat Win Kyaw)