It has been over one month since Nang Mo Hom, a Shan woman living in Ho Naung Ward, Namhkam City in Muse District, Shan State, was arrested at gunpoint from her home by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on August 17, 2018.

According to TNLA’s Statement, Nang Mo Hom had been charged by the TNLA’s central court due to her alleged obstruction of TNLA troops as they attempted to collect customs duties, which resulted in the death of one of the officers. The TNLA also stated that the central court of TNLA decide upon her ruling in front of her family and public. We are highly concerned by their statement..

It is not acceptable that they threatened and arrested her at gunpoint, this was done without informing the ward and village administrator and leaders, nor do these actions conform with the rule of law.

The military and ethnic armed groups have the responsibility to protect the life and property of the civilians who live in their territory. If any such organizations arbitrarily arrests and threaten civilians with weapons it has a disastrous effect on the safety of civilians.

The Namhkam Youths Network released a statement saying that the arrest of Nang Mo Hom will affect the ongoing peace process and that they have concerns that as a result of the arrest conflict will break out between Shan and Ta’ang Ethnic Groups. Moreover, in a separate statement, the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) and Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP), the TNLA alliance, asked for the TNLA to release her immediately.

According to our experience, as there are a lot of incidents where confessions have been extracted using torture and under threats of physical intimidation, we are therefore worried for her physical and mental health due to the length of her detention.

We at the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), strongly condemn the arbitrarily arrest and detention of Nang Mo Hom. As the TNLA is an organization which is trying to achieve national reconciliation and peace, therefore, we strongly urge TNLA to release her immediately, demonstrating their commitment to the peace process and rule of law.

In Solidarity.

Contact Persons:

Ko Tate Naing Secretary +66(0)81 2878751

Bo Kyi Joint Secretary +95(0) 9425308 840

Aung Myo Kyaw Office In charge +95(0) 941811 7348

Download this statement in English HERE.

Download this statement in Burmese HERE.