Myanmar Junta’s death penalty to seven university students, barbaric

Press Release
December 12, 2022

The European Rohingya Council (ERC) strongly condemns the Myanmar military regime’s death sentencing of ten people including seven Dagon University students for their involvements in anti-regime demonstrations.

On November 30, a military court inside notorious Insein Prison sentenced the university students – Thura Maung Maung, Khant Zin Win, Thiha Htet Zaw, Zaw Lin Naing, Hein Htet, Khant Lin Maung Maung and Thet Pain Oo who were arrested in April 2022 – under Sections 34 and 302a for conspiracy to commit murder.

In July, the regime led by dictator General Min Aung Hlaing has carried out Myanmar’s first executions since 1988. Prominent activist Kyaw Min Yu (popularly known as Ko Jimmy), former National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmaker Phyo Zeya Thaw, activist  Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw were hanged despite the international outcry to halt the death sentences.

Death penalty brought back by General Min Aung Hlaing is a desperate attempt to crush the nation-wide anti-regime revolt against the atrocities being perpetrated on civilians by Myanmar Military (Tatmadaw).

For nearly thirty years beginning from the previous military regime under General Than Shwe to the current regime, Rohingya students are deprived of high education in universities despite excelling in Matriculation Examinations in Arakan State. Accompanying the restrictions of movement, Rohingya students have been barred pursuing major fields such as medicine, dentistry, engineering, law, and to name a few in various universities inside the country. The deprivation of freedom of education has been used as a tool for the genocide against the Rohingya community, leading to a complete destruction of the community’s foundation – education.

The European Rohingya Council stands in solidarity with the students who stand tall and voice loud amidst the hardship, suppression and barbarism they experience at the hands of the military regime.

The European Rohingya Council also calls on the regional bloc ASEAN and the international community to press the regime in immediately commuting the death sentences which is highly deplorable and barbaric.

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