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Showing posts from August 11, 2013

Activist to appear in court this week over IDP clash

By Bill O'Toole  Myanmar Times   August 11, 2013 Lawyer and activist U Kyaw Hla Aung is due to appear in a Rakhine State court this week, in what will be his second hearing since being arres ted on July 15. U Kyaw Hla Aung, who identifies as Rohingya, is accused of inciting a protest in a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) earlier this year. His supporters, both inside and outside Myanmar, say the charges are false and a pretence to silence the prominent Sittwe-based activist. “He’s a human rights defender peacefully trying to help his community,” said Jim Lougren of the Frontline Defenders organisation, which works to protect activists in oppressed nations and communities. “It’s effectively a case of arbitrary detention ... We would argue that this case is without merit.” Since being arrested U Kyaw Hla Aung has not had access to a lawyer or been able to contact his family. He has been charged with rioting armed with a deadly weapon, encouragi