Narinjara, November 30, 2022

Arakan Front Party Chairman Dr. Aye Maung has called forthe 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 “UKyaw Lwin and U Kyaw Zaw Oo have not committed any crimes in our opinion. if you listen tothe comments of Kyaukphyu residents, it is clear that the public also thinks the sameway. Do they consider those with different ideas as their enemies?  If we operate ina rational way, there should not be a case of arresting Rakhine people over minorissues. We are afraid that that where small problems can lead to arrests, we are fallinginto 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 thatpeople who are making efforts for the rights of the Rakhineregion and the Rakhine people to achieve national equality, are being arrested withouthaving 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) insist that the AFP is politically recognizedas working for the Rakhine region and the Rakhine people to achievenational equality.

“The only difference is that we chose the path of partypolitics, and they chose the armed revolution. We are not enemies,but partners. I don't want things to get ugly because of smallproblems. And just as there needs to be an armed revolution, there also needsto be party politics. This concept must be recognized by ULA/AA, he said.

After U Khaing Thu Kha, AA’s spokesperson confirmed thatAFP’s vice chair and spokesman U Kyaw Zaw Oo had beendetained 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 Khaargued that "We cannot allow actions that incite people tocause 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 thecountry, without being careless”.

Former member of Pyithu Hluttaw (House ofRepresentatives) from Sittwe township, U Kyaw Zaw Oo was arrested by the AAon November 2 when he was leaving a tea shop in Sittwe and AFP adviser UKyaw Lwin has been missing since October 4.

AA’s U Khaing Thu Kha said, “ Wehave not received any news regarding U Kyaw Lwin’s

case.”

AFP Chairman Dr. Aye Maung told Narinjara that UKyaw Lwin is being detained in an AA-controlled area around Kam Htaung Gyi in Myebontownship.U Kyaw Naing, U Kyaw Lwin’ syounger brother, said that the family members were very worried because of AA’sstatement, that they did not know anything about U Kyaw Lwin.

“ In fact, we already know whichorganization arrested him. A friend called and informed me that U Khaing Thu Kha said that they have not receivedany news about U Kyaw Lwin’ s arrest. Now we are veryworried. If he was arrested, we want to know the truth. The organization that arrested himshould take responsibility and confirm it. As of now, no organization has made contact with thefamily”, he said.