Myanmar: Türk warns against violence and intimidation ahead of military-controlled vote

GENEVA – Myanmar is witnessing intensified violence, repression and intimidation ahead of military-controlled elections on 28 December, with civilians being threatened by both the military authorities and armed groups opposing the military regarding their participation in the polls, the UN Human Rights Office said on Tuesday.

“The military authorities in Myanmar must stop using brutal violence to compel people to vote, and stop arresting people for expressing any dissenting views,” UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said.

Dozens of individuals have reportedly been detained under an “election protection law” for the exercise of their freedom of expression. Some have received extremely harsh sentences, including three youths in Hlaingthaya Township, Yangon Region, who were sentenced to between 42 and 49 years’ jail for hanging up anti-election posters.

Among others arrested are prominent figures, including film director Mike Tee, actor Kyaw Win Htut and comedian Ohn Daing. They were each jailed for seven years for undermining public trust after criticising a pro-election propaganda film.

The UN Human Rights Office has also received reports from displaced people in several areas of the country, including Mandalay region, who have been warned they would be attacked or their homes seized if they did not return to vote. One source said: “They are saying to the internally displaced: ‘You guys come back to the town (to vote). If you do not come back, we will continue to bomb you’.”

“Forcing displaced people to undertake unsafe and involuntary returns is a human rights violation,” said the High Commissioner.

People are also facing serious threats from armed groups opposing the military. On 16 November, nine women teachers from Kyaikto were reportedly abducted while travelling to attend a training on the ballot, and then released with warnings from the perpetrators. On 18 and 19 November, in Yangon, the self-declared ‘Yangon Army’ bombed administration offices in Hlegu and North Okkalapa, injuring several election staff. The group said it intended to keep attacking election organisers.

“These elections are clearly taking place in an environment of violence and repression,” Türk said. “There are no conditions for the exercise of the rights of freedom of expression, association or peaceful assembly that allow for the free and meaningful participation of the people.”

For more information and media requests, please contact:

Ravina Shamdasani: +41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org
Jeremy Laurence: +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org
Thameen Al-Kheetan: +41 22 917 4232 / thameen.alkheetan@un.org

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