RFA
Ven. Ariyabiwuntha, the abbot of Myawaddy Mingyi Monastery in central Myanmar, was arrested on Feb. 1 during the military coup d’état for criticizing the army’s interference in Myanmar’s political system. Ven. Ariyabiwuntha, who is also known as Myawaddy Mingyi Sayadaw, has been a long-time critic of the army’s influence on society. He was among scores of political detainees released in an amnesty on Monday that critics said was an attempt by the junta to win acceptance of its self-declared caretaker government. The abbot spoke to Soe San Aung of RFA’s Myanmar Service about his arrest, detention, release, and the political crisis in the country. Following are excerpts of the interview, edited for length and clarity:
GENEVA – The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) said it is to hold a special session on Myanmar on Friday, on the day the UN office there voiced strong concerns over Tuesday’s reported use of violence by security forces against demonstrators.
“I call on the security forces to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” Ola Almgren, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar, said in a statement.
“The use of disproportionate force against demonstrators is unacceptable,” he noted.
The military takeover on February 1 followed escalating tensions between the military and the government after the November 2020 elections, won by the Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy (NLD).