AFP Chairman U Aye Maung calls for release of party leaders U Kyaw Zaw Oo and U Kyaw Lwin
Narinjara, November 30, 2022
Arakan Front Party Chairman Dr. Aye Maung has called for the release of U Kyaw Zaw Oo and U Kyaw Lwin, two party leaders arrested by the Arakan Army (AA) .
In his appeal for their immediate release he stated “U Kyaw Lwin and U Kyaw Zaw Oo have not committed any crimes in our opinion. if you listen to the comments of Kyaukphyu residents, it is clear that the public also thinks the same way. Do they consider those with different ideas as their enemies? If we operate in a rational way, there should not be a case of arresting Rakhine people over minor issues. We are afraid that where small problems can lead to arrests, we are falling into an era of darkness. So I appeal for the release of U Kyaw Lwin and U Kyaw Zaw Oo.”
He also pointed out that it is not appropriate that people who are making efforts for the rights of the Rakhine region and the Rakhine people to achieve national equality, are being arrested without having committed any crimes, and the two should be released as soon as possible.Dr. Aye Maung added that the United League of Arakan/ Arakan Army (ULA/AA) insists that the AFP is politically recognized as working for the Rakhine region and the Rakhine people to achieve national equality.
“The only difference is that we chose the path of party politics, and they chose the armed revolution. We are not enemies, but partners. I don't want things to get ugly because of small problems. And just as there needs to be an armed revolution, there also needs to be party politics. This concept must be recognized by ULA/AA, he said.
After U Khaing Thu Kha, AA’s spokesperson confirmed that AFP’s vice chair and spokesman U Kyaw Zaw Oo had been detained by AA and was in good health, at the 6th press conference of AA, Dr. Aye Maung urged the release of his party leaders.
Regarding the arrest of U Kyaw Zaw Oo, U Khaing Thu Kha argued that "We cannot allow actions that incite people to cause division and confusion, during an emergency period of war. Therefore I would like to add that there are things that need to be done for the sake of the country, without being careless”.
Former member of Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives) from Sittwe township, U Kyaw Zaw Oo was arrested by the AA on November 2 when he was leaving a tea shop in Sittwe and AFP adviser U Kyaw Lwin has been missing since October 4.
AA’s U Khaing Thu Kha said, “ We have not received any news regarding U Kyaw Lwin’s case.”
AFP Chairman Dr. Aye Maung told Narinjara that U Kyaw Lwin is being detained in an AA-controlled area around Kam Htaung Gyi in Myebon township.U Kyaw Naing, U Kyaw Lwin’ s younger brother, said that the family members were very worried because of AA’s statement, that they did not know anything about U Kyaw Lwin.
“ In fact, we already know which organization arrested him. A friend called and informed me that U Khaing Thu Kha said that they have not received any news about U Kyaw Lwin’ s arrest. Now we are very worried. If he was arrested, we want to know the truth. The organization that arrested him should take responsibility and confirm it. As of now, no organization has made contact with the family”, he said.
