1. The Hpa-an town General Administration Department filed a complaint in the Hpa-an Township Court under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code. Saw Tha Boe never received a summons to attend court and the police immediately attempted the arrest.

2. Under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code: ‘Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report, with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility’.

3. The prayer ceremony was conducted by local residents and village monks from Myaingkalay District, Hpa-an Township, based on Karen religious traditions. The raid and attempted arrest based on the ceremony is a violation of the rights of citizens, human rights and democratic standards.

4. We strongly condemn the actions of the township General Administration Department and the Karen State Government, which severely hinders Myanmar’s peace process and steps towards federalism.

5. Save the Salween Network (SSN) and Burma Rivers Network (BRN) makes the following urgent demands to the Government:

a. Immediately drop all charges against Saw Tha Boe, an activist working for environmental conservation and protection, which is important for sustainable development, federal democracy and the peace process.

b. To recognize and value human rights, citizenship rights, indigenous rights and basic standards of democracy.

c. Ethnic conflict and human rights violations should be avoided in order to ensure the smooth running of the 2020 elections.

d. Avoid any actions that hurt national peace, reconciliation and the establishment of a sustainable federal democracy.

Contact Person
Saw Lin Sein – 09683365566
Sai Khur Hseng – 09264362973

Download PDF statement in English and Burmese.