PEN Myanmar Statement (10/2021) - 11 March 2021

Claim for the Immediate Release of Poets

1. On 9 March, 2021, in Myeik, during the peaceful demonstrations against the military coup, a number of demonstrators who are students and young people, including Poet Maung Yu Paing, were arrested; and then some detainees were released.
2. However, as the visible evidences on the bodies and limbs of the detainees, they have been brutally beaten and tortured while under confinement. We strongly condemn such inhuman treatments to the peaceful demonstrators. We demand the authorities concerned to stop the overexercise of power to the detainees, who are the victimized citizens of Myanmar.
3. Poet Mung Yu Paing, who, however, has still been detained, going through tortures behind the bars, is sued under Section 505. Since, obviously, the peaceful demonstration of a poet stands for the basic human rights, PEN Myanmar seriously claim for the immediate release of Poet Maung Yu Paing, and any act of violence done to the detainee is strongly condemned.
4. Other poets such as Jonathan, Hsu Khet Yint, Nay Win, Arr Sway, Phyu Hsu, Eain Myu Nyein, Pay Thoe, Nayi (Myeik), Ei EI Tha Way, Moe Thu Eain, Nge Nemo, Sitt Naing, Khaing, and Te were also detained like poet Maung Yu Paing. PEN Myanmar seriously call for the release of those detained poets immediately.

PEN Myanmar Centre