Boy, 7, And Pet Dog Jailed As Political Prisoners By Myanmar Junta
The military junta that seized control in Myanmar had been accused of reaching a new low by locking up and refusing to release a seven-year-old boy political prisoner – and his dog.
The youngster Aung Thukhamein Lin, described as exceptionally clever, is currently behind bars together with his dog and mother Dr Htar Htar Lin, who after running the country’s COVID-19 immunisation programme was arrested for allegedly founding an opposition group.
His father Nyi Nyi Aung is also behind bars, and the family was not among the over 2,000 political prisoners released by the military junta at the end of last month.
The boy and his dog were seized together with his parents in Yangon on 10th June when his mother, who organised Myanmar’s COVID-19 vaccination programme, was accused of founding the opposition Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), which opposes the rule of the junta and the National Unity Government (NUG).
The NUG is classified as a terrorist organisation by the junta.
A friend of the family called on people to protest the boy’s arrest, saying that it is clearly unacceptable that he is behind bars with his dog.
He confirmed: “His pet dog is in jail with him and has been for almost a month. This is unacceptable and we are hoping that he will be released immediately.”
He added that the arrest of the child was simply another crime committed by the military dictatorship.
Another child, a girl named Su Thet Wyne, 5, who had also been arrested, was released with other political prisoners at the end of last month and was said to have been traumatised by the ordeal.
Her father, Soe Htay, said she had been terrified after being locked up in jail following her arrest together with her mother and older sister.
He wrote on Facebook: “She told me she didn’t get enough meals in detention and had to bathe in toilet water.”
The arresting authorities were looking for the father who is accused of being the leader of another opposition group. The mother and older sister remain in jail.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) says that 892 people, including 44 children, have died in the unrest since February with 6,513 arrested.
