December 7, 2015

Fairness of ‘Muslim Army’ trial questioned, torture alleged

A verdict in the controversial trial of 12 Muslim men accused of receiving training from an armed group called the “Myanmar Muslim Army” is expected this week, according to a human rights group.

Fortify Rights said authorities allegedly tortured defendants who are now facing trial at Aung Myay Thar San Township Court in Mandalay Region.

At a hearing monitored by the group on Sept. 17, defendant Soe Moe Aung, 24, testified that the authorities beat him in detention, deprived him of food and water, fed him pills, and administered unknown injections during interrogations that lasted approximately one week, according to the group. He alleged that he was subsequently coerced into signing a document that he presumed to be a confession.

Matthew Smith, the executive director of Fortify Rights, said international law bans torture unequivocally and all states have an obligation to protect the human rights of those in detention.

He said Fortify Rights monitored nine court hearings and examined approximately 170 pages of court documents pertaining to the case. The defendants are Muslim men, aged 19 to 58 years old, from Mandalay Region, Karen State, and Shan State. The are accused of associating with a group the prosecution refers to as the “Myanmar Muslim Army” in 2014. (Courtesy of Mizzima)


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