Khin Mi Mi Khaing and Myint Myint Aye

Khin Mi Mi Khaing and Myint Myint Aye

The military-backed government in Burma arrested two women activists in June, Khin Mi Mi Khaing and Myint Myint Aye, for allegedly taking part in illegal associations. Their arrest came after showing their support to farmers who were protesting on confiscated land. They have been detained in Paungde Prison and their trials continue.

Khin Mi Mi Khaing and Myint Myint Aye are leaders of two independent women’s networks in Burma, which promote equality, peace, and development in the country. In June, they visited Pae Ma Khan village in Bago Division to show their support to farmers who ploughed land that had been confiscated. The Burma Army had confiscated their land almost two decades ago.

The day after the demonstration, they were asked to meet the head of the local authority from Nattalin Township in Bago Division. On their arrival, they were arrested and taken to Nattalin Court by the police.

Khin Mi Mi Khaing and Myint Myint Aye were falsely accused of participating in illegal associations, and recruiting new members into their associations. They were charged under Section 6 for violating the Unlawfully Association Act and failing to register their social networks with the Burmese government.

They were denied bail and sent to Paungde Prison. Family members are worried about their health because Khin Mi Mi Khaing has suffered from hypertension and Myint Myint Aye suffered from mild stroke last year.  Their trials continue at Nattalin Court.

Email Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire, urging the UK government to take action to ensure the immediate release of Khin Mi Mi Khaing, Myint Myint Aye and the remaining political prisoners in Burma.