NAYPYIDAW, KOMPAS.com – An official of Myanmar’s de facto leadership party ousted by Aung San Suu Kyi, has died in military custody according to a watchdog group on Wednesday (10/3/2021).
The case is the second death while in junta troop detention this week. The junta allegedly started committing acts of violence against pro-democracy officials in post-coup detention.
The deaths have raised concerns about the conditions and treatment prisoners receive in detention.
Since the military seized power in a coup on February 1, security forces have quickly moved to silence dissent. They arrested government officials, protesters, journalists, civil servants and NGO workers, as well as oppressed independent media.
Many people have been taken arbitrarily in night raids.
Until now their families do not know where their loved ones are, or how they are, the United Nations (UN) told CNN on Wednesday (10/3/2021).
Human Rights Watch says people who are forcibly “disappeared” are more likely to be the target of torture or persecution, than others who are arrested.
Member of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party, Zaw Myat Lynn died in custody on Tuesday (9/3/2021).
Suu Kyi’s ally was previously arrested in the largest city of Yangon, according to reports Reuters, citing deposed MP Ba Myo Thein.
Also read: Calling for Aung San Suu Kyi to be Released, the Ambassador of Myanmar to the UK be Returned
The Supervisory Group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) released a statement stating “Zaw Myat Lynn, who is the head of an educational institution, was announced dead today from injuries caused by torture following arbitrary night raids.”
The exact cause of death is still unknown, but the AAPP added that Zaw Myat Lynn was subjected to beatings.
Shortly before his arrest, Zaw Myat Lynn uploaded a live broadcast on Facebook. In the video it says, “I would like to encourage all citizens across the country, to join us in protesting day and night for 24 hours against the dictatorship.”
He urged the people to continue fighting the army, saying “we will risk our lives to defeat them.”
According to him, this is necessary to show the international community, including the United Nations and other agencies, that the people of Myanmar want democracy.
“We value democracy as the most valuable thing in our life,” he stressed.
His death follows the death of NLD party chairman Yangon Khin Maung Latt. He died while detained on Saturday (6/3/2021).
“On the night of his arrest, Khin Maung Latt was tortured to death in his cell,” AAPP said in a press release.
NLD MP Ba Myo Thein told Reuters asserted, reports of bruises on Khin Maung Latt’s head and body raised suspicions that he had been mistreated.
CNN unable to independently verify this reporting. Details surrounding the deaths of Zaw Myat Lynn and Khin Maung Latt were not immediately clear.
Also read: The story of the Myanmar police who fled to the Indian border to reject military junta violence
Escalation of violence
Human rights groups have called on the military junta, led by coup leader General Min Aung Hlaing, to immediately and impartially investigate the deaths.
“The Myanmar junta runs security forces and can quickly find out who killed Khin Maung Latt if they want,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, in a statement.
“If they want to show they believe in the rule of law, all those responsible must be held accountable.”
Unfortunately, he said, Myanmar’s security forces appeared intent on using night raids and brutal persecution to create fear. This tactic was used to break popular resistance to military rule.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power, detained state adviser Suu Kyi and formed a new junta to run the country.
For more than a month, thousands of protesters across Myanmar have challenged military rule every day.
The security forces responded to the protests by increasing violence and brutality.
Witnesses reported extrajudicial killings, while footage and photos showed police and military shooting dead anti-coup protesters and beating detainees.
At least 54 people have died in the protests, according to the United Nations, although activists say the number is higher.
The AAPP says 1,939 people have been arrested, charged or sentenced since the coup.
Also read: Action of Sister Ann Roza to Protect Myanmar Demonstrators: Please, Just Shoot Me
Media silencing
This week, the post-coup crackdown by the military appears to have escalated as security forces revoked the licenses of five independent media companies. This action cut off information and trapped hundreds of young protesters in Yangon.
Media outlet offices Myanmar Mizzima and Kamayut Media was raided by security forces Tuesday afternoon (9/3/2021), the publication’s editor told Myanmar Now.
Myanmar Now reported no staff on Mizzima who was detained. But a family member said the founder and editorial leader of Kamayut was arrested by security forces.
Founding father Myanmar Now said their own office was raided on Monday (8/3/2021). Myanmar Now and Mizzima were among the five media whose publishing permits were revoked.
“They confiscated computers, printers, and parts of the newsroom data server as well,” said Lei Win. According to him, there was no one in the office at the time and it had been deliberately vacated since the coup.
“Obviously this was done in public, the witness saw security forces storming the building where the office is located, and there was a show of force that might try to send a message,” he said.
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