Two members of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) were arrested in Kayin state’s Myawaddy township on Friday for staging unauthorised pro-military protests.
Ye Htut Paing, a USDP central executive committee member, and Zaw Min Tun, were both charged with holding protests without formal permission, police told Myanmar Now.
The two men held separate protests last week, in each case defying article 19 of the Peaceful Protest and Peaceful Procession Law, which requires that police receive notice of a planned protest 48 hours in advance.
Zaw Min Tun held a solo protest in front of Myawaddy’s Bayintnaung market last Tuesday wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) as a precaution against Covid-19, police said.
Ye Htut Paing’s 16-person protest was not reported to police until 30 minutes before it was held, according to Aung Kyaw Oo, a deputy officer at the Myawaddy township police station.
“They didn’t apply until 10 in the morning and then started the protest at 10:30,” he said.
Both men will be tried within 15 days and are currently free on bail, he added.
Khin Maung Chin, the USDP chair for Myawaddy division, said the party was not involved in organizing the protests, but added that he was providing legal advice to both defendants at their request.
“Since I’m the closest lawyer they know, they asked me for my assistance. But I think they are also thinking in terms of party affiliation,” he said, adding that nationalists may have played a role in instigating the protests.
Ye Htut Paing said he was unaware of the requirement to report to the police at least 48 hours before holding a protest.
“The government is always shouting ‘Human rights! Human rights!’ but then it keeps hitting us with this law,” he said, noting that his group also followed Covid-19 guidelines.
“Everyone wore PPE outfits, as per Covid guidelines. Well, except for me. But I did wear a mask and everything,” he said.
“It’s not right that that we’re being hit with this charge in a time of democracy,” he added.
Since last December, there have been no fewer than 15 protests in support of the military nationwide. In recent days, police have arrested protest leaders in Yangon’s Insein and Mayangone townships and Myingyan in Mandalay.
Meanwhile, there have also been protests against the military in Kayin state over recent clashes with the Karen National Union. The latest involved thousands of local people.
