Myanmar Junta Detains Rights Activist, Family, Including Toddler
Military troops deployed in Mandalay amid the regime’s crackdown on protesters on Feb. 22, marking the ‘22222’ nationwide general strike. / The Irrawaddy
Myanmar’s junta has detained human rights activist Ko Kyaw Minn Htut, his two-year-old child, wife and younger brother in Monywa, Sagaing Region.
The Myanmar Alliance for Transparency and Accountability (MATA) said its member, his brother Ko Kyaw Minn Aung and a man who was living with them were detained on Monday afternoon in Nandawon ward.
Ko Kyaw Minn Htut’s wife Daw Khin San Hlaing and their son were also detained by junta forces on Sunday, MATA said in a statement on Tuesday.
MATA is the civil society alliance formed by over 400 organizations across the country for the implementation of transparency and accountability in the extractive industries.
Ko Kyaw Minn Htut had been working for environmental protection and human rights and participated in the non-violent movement for democracy after the military coup, MATA stated.
“We strongly ask for the freedom of Kyaw Minn Htut and all detained people who participated in the non-violent pro-democracy movement without [causing] any harm,” the group said, while calling for an end to military rule.
Killings, arrests and torture by regime forces continue daily across the country as the junta escalates its crackdown on dissidents and supporters of the shadow National Unity Government.
On Monday night, Ko Zaw Linn Htet from Pyay in Bago Region died during interrogation after a few hours in custody.
Ko Zaw Linn Htet, 30, died few hours after detention.
A resident told The Irrawaddy that the young man was detained with his younger brother in alleged connection with the arrest of student union members a week ago. During the detained, he was violently beaten and seen bleeding from his head.
The two brothers were detained at around 3:30pm and the family was informed of Ko Zaw Linn Htet’s death at around 8pm.
Pyay’s underground news page reported that junta forces smashed up Ko Zaw Linn Htet’s house on Tuesday morning. They also detained the remaining male family members, alleging they produced homemade bombs.
Original Post: The Irrawaddy
