Border News Agency
Minbra .May 11.
On May 11, civil society organizations in the Arakan region called for justice for the child who was subjected to sexual violence and murder in the Minbra Township’s Phar Pro Village, which is controlled by the Arakan Army.
On April 6, a 9-year-old girl was brutally raped and murdered in the Phar Pro Village.
As a result, civil society groups and lawyers have emphasized that the perpetrators should be given appropriate and effective punishment to prevent further crimes.
“A punishment should be given according to the law to effectively deter crimes like sexual violence. Currently, the law clearly defines the specific prison sentence for sexual violence. If there is strong evidence, the perpetrator should face severe action. In some cases, people’s human rights are considered, and a 20-year sentence is given. A 20-year sentence can significantly reform a person’s behavior, preventing them from committing further crimes,” said a female lawyer to Border News Agency.
Civil society organizations have stated that the incident, being an inhumane act, not only threatens the child and the family involved but also poses a danger to the community. It threatens the peace and safety of the people in the Arakan region and undermines moral values.
For a peaceful and secure society in Arakan, no child should ever face such violence. These organizations have called on those responsible for justice in the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government, including government officials, to take action in addressing the issue.
As a result, civil society organizations, women’s groups, and women themselves have been calling for the harshest penalties to be imposed on perpetrators of sexual violence, including those responsible for child sexual abuse.
“I believe that perpetrators of sexual violence should face the harshest penalties. As for the law, the current law used by the ULA does not differ much from the criminal laws in Myanmar. Sexual violence is addressed under Section 376 of the Penal Code, and since this involves murder, the offender can be sentenced to death or life imprisonment. In the case that recently occurred, where the perpetrator committed rape followed by murder, a severe sentence can be imposed,” said a female student from Rakhine to Border News Agency.
In response to the recent sexual violence and murder case in Phar Pro village, there have been calls for an impartial and thorough investigation, with a demand to identify the perpetrator and ensure they face the harshest penalties under the law without any leniency or amnesty.
Additionally, there are calls for ensuring social justice for the victim and her family by providing a fair judicial process. Rakhine women and children are also advocating for the implementation of effective measures to prevent further acts of violence against them and to establish strong protective systems to ensure such incidents do not happen again in the future.
Therefore, civil society organizations, women’s groups, and gender activists are highlighting the need for the Arakan People’s Government to provide gender education and awareness programs.
Such education includes teaching children “Such education includes teaching children not to allow strangers to touch them, explaining which parts of their body are private, and emphasizing that they should not follow strangers when called. It also involves teaching them to say no, to shout for help, and to run away if someone tries to touch their private parts,” said Ko Min Saw, a gender education instructor.
Civil society organizations have expressed hope that the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government will provide true accountability, justice, and fairness in addressing these heinous acts.
Regarding the sexual violence and killings, civil society organizations also stated that they are deeply saddened and distressed by these events.
