Rakhine lawmakers have urged Naypyitaw to end an internet blackout in parts of the conflict-torn state that has kept residents offline for almost three weeks.
In a letter due to be sent to the NLD-led government this week, the Rakhine administration will call for internet services to be resumed in the nine affected townships as soon as possible.
Rights advocates including the UN special rapporteur to Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, fear the blackout is being used to hide human rights violations as the Tatmadaw continues to fight with the Arakan Army.
Htun Tha Shein of the Arakan National Party said Monday that lawmakers would send a letter to the central government urging it to end the blackout promptly.
On June 24th, three days after the blackout began, Rakhine’s legislature approved an urgent proposal to resume internet services, he added.
“(The proposal) was accepted in the Rakhine State parliament and the government group did not object,” said Htun Tha Shein.
MPs have lost contact with constituents because of the blackout, he said, and have had trouble getting information about attacks on civilians.
“We hope the union government will value the Rakhine State parliament and consider (the proposal) accepted by parliament to resume internet access,” he added.
The MP did not promptly learn about the deaths of two villagers from Pauktaw Pyin, which falls within his Mrauk U constituency, or about an arson attack in Yamyit Taung village in Rathedaung, because of the blackout, he added.
“It hampers communications between MPs and the public, as well as communications among the public. The parliament has accepted the public’s voice. It is the government’s duty to work on it,” he said.
Telecoms operators cut internet access in eight townships within Rakhine as well as Paletwa in Chin state after receiving an order from the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
The government did not officially announce a reason for the blackout.
