A Chance to Fix in Time: Analysis of Freedom of Expression in Four Years Under the Current Government
2.4.2
Dr. Aye Maung and Writer Wai Hin Aung Jailed for Saying “Rakhine Sovereignty”
The government prosecuted a Rakhine politician and lawmaker Dr. Aye Maung and a
Rakhine writer Wai Hin Aung under Section 17(1) of Unlawful Associations Act, Section 122
“offence of high treason” and Section 505(b) of the the Penal Code alleging their speech at
an public event held in Rathedaung township on January 15, 2018 to mark the fall of Rakhine
kingdom were unlawful.
The government’s statement said that “Dr. Aye Maung told the audience that Bamar people
considered the Rakhine people as their slaves and did not give them equal rights; some
people were doing armed revolution to gain sovereignty; and Rakhine people should take
the advantages of currently unstable politics to achieve the goal and nurture a mindset of
regaining sovereignty”. After 41 court hearings, the two ethnic Rakhine men were given the
concurrent sentence of 20 years imprisonment -- 20 years for high treason under Section
122 of the Penal Code and two years for incitement under Section 505(b).
2.4.3
Former Child Soldier and His Supporters Charged
Ko Aung Ko Htwe was sued under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code after recalling his
experiences of being recruited as a child soldier when he was 13 years old in a media
interview with Radio Free Asia in August 2017. While facing trial, he made a protest at a
court appearance. Therefore, he was sentenced to six months for contempt of court on
February 14, 2018 and two years under Section 505(b) on March 28, 2018.
Caption - Ma Nay Zar Tun seen on the day she was sentenced
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Chapter (2): Freedom of Expression