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The Burma Human Rights Network is calling on authorities to dismiss charges against three Kachin protesters accused of defamation following mass protests between April 30th and May 6th. The protesters called on the evacuation of civilians from conflict areas after fighting displaced more than 6,000 people in Tanai, Injangyang, Hpankant and Mogaung townships. Following the protests, two were fined 30,000 Kyat for violating the peaceful assemby law section 19. Afterwards, Ko Lum Zawng, U Zaw Jat and Daw Nang Pu were charged in violation of penal code section 500 for defamation of the Military.
“The charges against these protesters are clearly intended to intimidate and silence any opposition to Myanmar’s ongoing civil war in its north. A free society should not fear protest and calls to protect its own civilians, and this case is a worrying sign of continued erosion of Burma’s limited liberties. What is perhaps most worrying is that the call of these protesters
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Ultra-nationalists in Hinthada Township have made significant efforts to confiscate and destroy a local cemetery, which has been owned and operated by Muslims for the past 138 years. Hinthada has a Muslim population of about 6,000 and the cemetery is a significant place for them in regards to religion, dignity, family, history and culture.
The land was registered as garden land under the numbers 114/0.857 acre and 116/1.731 acre. Successive governments permitted the land to be used as a cemetery until 1994 when they revoked permission. Following this local Muslims purchased a plot of land situated in the outskirts of town and they have used it as a cemetery for the past 24 years. Since that time, the old cemetery has been used as a gathering place for devotees to pray on days of religious significance.
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Authorities have sentenced seven Muslim men to three months in jail for organising prayers in the street in Tharkayta Township, in Yangon. The events in question took place nearly one year ago and the sentence was based on the Ward and village Tract Administration Law, which prohibits unauthorized pubic gatherings, though legal authorities have argued there is a clear exemption for religious events.
The Tharkayta Township court ruled against the seven men on April 30th, 2018 following a trial against the men for organising a street prayer event on Ahnawmar 13 Street in Ward Number 1 in Tharkayta Townhip. The men were praying in the street following the sealing off of two Islamic schools on Ahnawmar 11 and 12 Streets in Tharkayta on April 28th of 2017, following protests and pressure from Buddhist ultra-nationalists groups. The schools were closed following complaints that Muslims were using them to host prayers.
