Chin groups condemn AA’s Paletwa district designation as colonialist move
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Phyo/Thet Paing (NP News) - August 16
Two Chin groups said in a statement that the designation of Paletwa as a district by the AA (Arakan Army) reflects a power-centered colonial system.
A few days ago, at the AA’s press conference, Khaing Thukha, spokesperson of the AA stated that Paletwa has been designated as a district under the area controlled by the AA in Rakhine State.
Khaing Thukha said at the AA's 10th press conference on August 11 that the AA was able to control the Paletwa Township, and therefore they are solely responsible for the region's affairs.
“We can't just leave Paletwa Township as it is after we attacked and took control of it. Therefore, we are now responsible for the region’s stability, the rule of law, and its development. That is why we are taking action in the areas we control, in accordance with our new responsibilities,” he said.
The Global Khumi Organization (GKO) and the Global Khumi Youth Association (GKYA) issued a joint statement on August 12 expressing their strong opposition to this statement.
The ULA/AA’s unilateral designation, made without the consent of the local indigenous communities in the township, violates the political rights of the local population. According to the statement, this designation also contravenes the principles outlined in the Panglong Agreement, and disregards the territorial integrity of Chin State, which was determined with the consent of the Chin people in the successive Myanmar constitutions. The announcement emphasized that this move represents a centralized colonial imposition and is also contrary to democratic principles.
Furthermore, the statement strongly objects to Khaing Thukha's denial of human rights violations in Paletwa Township, stating that the AA has controlled Paletwa Township since January 14, 2024, and local human rights records show six murders and five rapes occurred in the past year.
The statement said that ULA/AA did not take any action to uncover the truth about these incidents. It also added that spokesperson Khaing Thukha's claim that the rule of law prevails in Paletwa Township is simply false propaganda spread to the entire population.
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Chin groups condemn AA’s Paletwa district designation as colonialist move
Phyo/Thet Paing (NP News) - August 16
Two Chin groups said in a statement that the designation of Paletwa as a district by the AA (Arakan Army) reflects a power-centered colonial system.
A few days ago, at the AA’s press conference, Khaing Thukha, spokesperson of the AA stated that Paletwa has been designated as a district under the area controlled by the AA in Rakhine State.
Khaing Thukha said at the AA's 10th press conference on August 11 that the AA was able to control the Paletwa Township, and therefore they are solely responsible for the region's affairs.
“We can't just leave Paletwa Township as it is after we attacked and took control of it. Therefore, we are now responsible for the region’s stability, the rule of law, and its development. That is why we are taking action in the areas we control, in accordance with our new responsibilities,” he said.
The Global Khumi Organization (GKO) and the Global Khumi Youth Association (GKYA) issued a joint statement on August 12 expressing their strong opposition to this statement.
The ULA/AA’s unilateral designation, made without the consent of the local indigenous communities in the township, violates the political rights of the local population. According to the statement, this designation also contravenes the principles outlined in the Panglong Agreement, and disregards the territorial integrity of Chin State, which was determined with the consent of the Chin people in the successive Myanmar constitutions. The announcement emphasized that this move represents a centralized colonial imposition and is also contrary to democratic principles.
Furthermore, the statement strongly objects to Khaing Thukha's denial of human rights violations in Paletwa Township, stating that the AA has controlled Paletwa Township since January 14, 2024, and local human rights records show six murders and five rapes occurred in the past year.
The statement said that ULA/AA did not take any action to uncover the truth about these incidents. It also added that spokesperson Khaing Thukha's claim that the rule of law prevails in Paletwa Township is simply false propaganda spread to the entire population.