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COVID - 19 News Letter for September

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) has documented cases in relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic. According to the documentation of AAPP in September, a total of (1902) people have been charged and convicted in Burma during the pandemic.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) has been monitoring and documenting cases related to COVID-19 Pandemic since April and releasing a monthly COVID Newsletter. According to our documentation in September, a total of (1902) people have been charged and convicted in Burma during the pandemic.

As of 16 August, COVID-19 infected cases have reappeared in ; the outbreaks have also been reported in Yangon and other states and regions. The second wave of COVID hit Yangon most, and townships in are now ordered to stay at home due to the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths increase highly. Up to September 30, a total of 13,373 people had been infected and 310 had died.

The detailed information is shown below:

(309) persons have been charged under Section 25, 26, 29 and 30 (a) of the Natural Disaster Management Law while (1) person is serving sentence in prison under Section 26 and 29.

In addition to this, (1006) have been charged and (104) were punished under Section 188 of the Penal 1

Code for failing to abide-by the night curfew. And, total of (350) people have been charged under Section 15 of the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases Law for not wearing masks whereas (120) were penalized.

Moreover, (4) have been charged under Section 332/294/114 of the Penal Code and (1) has been charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code; (7) have been charged under Section 6 (1) of the Public Property Protection Act.

The quarantined and quarantines centers of each state and region of The number of quarantined people and quarantine centers in each state and region of Myanmar as monitored and documented by AAPP is shown in the table below:

No Region / State Number of quarantine Number of the quarantined centers

1 Yangon Region 92 5188

2 Magwe Region 632 4589

3 1100 8886

4 Karen State 387 2093

5 111 2845

6 248 2382

7 Region 479 2821

8 641 4318

9 Rakhine State 295 1614

10 Southern 133 1114

11 Northern Shan State 338 699

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12 Eastern Shan State 16 115

13 153 975

14 Irrawaddy Region 1143 6289

15 25 324

16 12 389

17 Naypyitaw Council 13 793

Total 5818 45434

http://mohs.gov.mm/su/mxde5404MX

Kayah State

Absconder from Quarantine Center in Loikaw, Kayah State Charged

On 22nd September, a man who fled from the quarantine center of Loikaw, Kayah State, was arrested and had a case opened at Loikaw Myoma Police Station under Section 26/29 of the Natural Disaster Management Law, according to the office of Kayah state government. The aforementioned man had returned to his native Htee Palaw Htu, Nwar La Woe Village Tract, Loikaw Township while he had been kept under watch in the quarantine center of the community based facility in Loikaw University on 21st September. On the first night he fled from the center after having assailed responsible persons and policemen of the center with fierce blows. ( 22 September 2020 - Voice of Myanmar/Burmese) (29 September 2020 - DVB/Burmese) (30 September 2020 - Mizzima/Burmese)

120 Fined 1000 Kyat Each for Not Wearing Masks in Dimowso, Kayah State

On 30th September, 120 persons were each fined 1000 kyat each for not wearing masking on their faces and distributed two pieces of mask to them gratis to wear at once in Dimowso township of Kayah State. In implementing a program for COVID-19 prevention and control, authorities found 120 people not wearing masks and arrested and fined them 1000 kyat each in front of Basic Education High School, on 30 September morning, Dimowso. It was also reported governmental staff distributed pamphlets of COVID- 19 awareness among travellers on the road ( 30 September 2020 - Social Media of Sithu Maung)

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Rakhine State

Seven Yangon Returnees Face Legal Charge in Thandwe

Seven returnees from Yangon were found guilty of violating official orders and directives of the Ministry of Health and Sport so legal action was taken at Thandwe police station under Section 29/30(a) of the Natural Disaster Management Law. A driver and his assistant drove five young men to Thandwe in an ambulance bearing emblems of the Zaya Maggin Association on it to be stopped and examined by police officers and immigration authorities at the Thandwe entrance check-point. According to Ye Min Soe, a police Lieutenant, the seven were sent to Ngapali quarantine center to be kept under watch. U Zaw Zaw Htun, the ward administrator of Gyate Taw, Ngapali, said that a plot for returning the seven to Thandwe and quarantining them has already been scheduled. ( 24 September 2020 – Myanmar Now/Burmese) (25 September 2020 - DMG/Burmese)

Two Times Absconder From hospital Recaptured, Butheedaung, Rakhine State

A COVID-19 patient, who fled from Buthedaung Township hospital on 17 September, was recaptured on 21t September legal action is being prepared under the Natural Disaster Management Law, according to U Hla Shwe Aung, the administrator of the township. The patient made his first attempt to flee on 16th September but he was captured on his way. ( 21 September 2020 - DMG/Burmese)

COVID Patient Absconder Found and Confined in Custody

According to Maungdaw district administrator U Soe Aung, a COVID patient, who fled from the township hospital was recaptured and confined in the custody of the hospital guard-ward. The patient fled on 3rd September and was recaptured on 4th September 3 miles away from the town. According to U Soe Aung the man suffers from mental illness. ( 2 September 2020 - DMG/Burmese)

Three Imprisoned for One Month for Denying curfew, Kyaukphyu, Rakhine

Judge of Kyaukphyu Township, Rakhine State, sentenced three people who failed to follow the curfew to one month’s imprisonment each under Section 188 of penal code on 3rd September. The three people were arrested when one team led by township administrator and another by the superintendent patrolled around Kyaukphyu Township municipal area, according to the administrator of Kyaukphyu Township. The administrator himself acted as plaintiff of the case and applied directly to township court for prosecution. A number of coronavirus infected people have increased since August, a 9 pm to 4 am curfew has to be imposed as of 2nd September in Rakhine State. (5 September 2020 - DVB/Burmese)

Five Youths Imprisoned for not Following Curfew in Taunggok, Rakhine State

The Taunggok Township court judge sentenced five youths to one month imprisonment on 4th September, in accordance with Section 188 of the Penal Code for not abiding by the curfew. On the early morning of 24 September, a police troop found six drunken youths on a street and arrested them, according to superintendent of Taunggok Township police department. The five of the six youth were prosecuted by the administrator of Taunggok as the plaintiff of the case for not following the curfew while the remaining one was released on bail. 4

( 25 September 2020 - DMG/Burmese)

Five Suspects Arrested in Minbya Township According to Tatmadaw True News Information Team

Five people of Minbya township, U Tin Thein, U Han Thein, Mg Naing Oo, Mg Than Wai, Mg Nyi Nyi Htun were arrested on 11th September 1:00 a.m for not following the night curfew. They were charged under Section 188 of a regional order at Minbya Township police station. According to the Tatmadaw True News Information Team’s report, five suspects were arrested on September 15. ( 12 September 2020 - Narinjara/Burmese)

Shan State

Bar-owner and Customers Sentenced in Muse

On 3rd September, six customers and a bar-owner were sentenced to a month’s imprisonment without labour by the judge of Muse Township court in accordance with Section 188 of the Penal Code for breaking the curfew. Moreover, 27 people who went against local official directives would have legal action taken against them. Muse in northern Shan State is a border-trade town between China and Myanmar and is a busy center of merchants, dealers, truck drivers and travelers. ( 4 September 2020 - Eleven Media/Burmese)

Over a Hundred People Lectured on the Risk of Not Wearing Masks and Fined in Taunggyi, Shan State

In Taunggyi, Shan State, over a hundred people were found not wearing masks, lectured about the risk of COVID-19 and fined. Checks on face masks have commenced since 15th September and 135 people were lectured and 156 fined. On 21st September, authorities decided that a third time to lecture would lead to fines for those people who had been caught not wearing masks, according to Ko Win Naing one of the volunteer groups. ( 21 September 2020 - Shan News/Burmese)

Chin State

41 Had Legal Action Taken Against Them for Failing to Follow Curfew in Paletwa, Chin

In the 2nd week of September, 41 persons were charged for breaking the Natural Disaster Law and the order of curfew in Paletwa Township according to U Aung Lawha, the township administrator. The 41 persons were arrested while they were travelling from Paletwa, Chin State to Kyauktaw of Rakhine State along a pathway through forest by troops from Infantry Battalion 289 of the Tatmadaw True News Information on 9th September. After being searched, they were handed over to the administration department of Paletwa Township. They had been kept in Myoma Post-Primary School and their freedom of movement has been limited, according to U Kyaw Khin, a resident of Paletwa. ( 16 September 2020 - RFA/Burmese)

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Yangon Region

Over 970 people Arrested for Failing to Abide by Curfew Over Two Days in Yangon

According to Myanmar Police Force, on 2nd and 3rd September, a total of 971 people (male 926 and female 45) were arrested and charged under Section 188 of the Penal Code for failing to follow the curfew by relevant township police forces. According to Sanchaung Township administrator, 11 curfew offenders had lawsuits filed at the township court where they were sentenced to one month’s imprisonment each without any labour under Section 188 of the Penal Code. ( 3 September 2020 – Facebook Khit Thit News/Burmese) ( 3 September 2020 - Myanmar/Burmese) ( 4 September 2020 - DVB/Burmese) ( 4 September 2020 - Eleven Media/Burmese) ( 3 September 2020 - Eleven Media/Burmese)

Two KTV’s have taken legal action against them in Yangon

Two owners and two managers of KTV lounges have been charged under Section 30(a) of the Natural Disaster Management Law by Yangon Regional Police Force according to a report of the police force. The report said that the police force entered and inspected the two KTV lounges, Lax KTV on the Sayasan Street of Bahan Township and Privacy KTV on Pyidaungzu Street of North Dagon Township. And, police officers found the two KTV were operating without following official orders and directives of COVID- infection control. (4 September 2020 – Mizzima News/Burmese)

Legal Action Taken Against 34 KTV, Bars, Massage Parlors, Brothels and 260 Related Person Across 10 Regions and States

In the month of September, a total of 34 KTVs, bars, massage parlors and brothels and a total of 260 persons related to the businesses aforementioned were arrested within two weeks and had cases opened at relevant police stations of ten of regions and states under section 30 (a) of the Natural Disaster Management Law, according to Myanmar Police Force Department’s report. On 2nd and 3rd of September, a total of 13 persons, owners, managers, female sex workers and customers of one KTV lounge and two pimp-houses, were caught in Pyinmana and Pobbathiri Townships, Naypyitaw. Furthermore, 4 persons of a KTV in Myitkyina of Kachin State, 16 of a KTV in Kawlin Township of Sagaing region, 20 persons including customers from two massage parlors in Taungoo and Prome, of Pegu region, were caught too. Running arrests were made in the regions and states of Magwe, Mandalay, Yangon, Mon and Shan, seizing 31 persons from two illegal massage parlors in Magwe, 31 persons from three massage parlors in Magwe, 32 persons from three massage parlors of Mandalay, 52 persons from a KTV, two bars and an illegal massage room in Yangon, 36 persons from four bars and KTVs in Shan State and one person from a KTV in Mon State. Others were also arrested, 11 persons from a KTV and a massage parlor of Mon State, 22 persons including managers, staff and customers from two KTV bars and an illegal massage room, according to Myanmar Police Force Department. Likewise, 30 persons from a total of ten KTV, massage and prostitution businesses were arrested between 11th and 18th September. ( 20 September 2020 - 7 Days News/Burmese)

350 Imprisoned for not Wearing Masks and 149 Imprisoned for Violating Curfew Within a Single Week

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According to a report by the Myanmar police headquarters office, 272 males and 78 females, a total 350 persons had legal action taken against them under Section 15 of the Control and Prevention Communicable Disease Law for not wearing masks . Furthermore, a total of 149 persons, 141 males and 8 females were charged under Section 188 of the Penal Code for loitering during curfew. Additionally, within the week of September 19 to 26, two pimp houses, a KTV lounge and its owner, manager and eight male staff as well as other eighteen female sex workers were arrested and taken legal actions in several regions and states, it is said. ( 27 September 2020 - Voice of Myanmar/Burmese)

Police Officer COVID-19 Patient Jumped to His Death From Fourth Floor of Quarantine Center

According to a report by the police department, a police officer COVID-19 patient jumped to his death from the fourth floor of a quarantine center of Hlaing Township, Yangon Region. The suicidal patient was from a police squad of the drug eradication unit of Hlaing Township police department and he had been quarantined in Mindama Avenue quarantine center of No 12 ward, Hlaing Township. ( 28 September 2020 - The Voice Myanmar/Burmese)

Magwe Region

KTV Raided and Six People Charged by Police in Magwe

On the night of September 5th, a combined team of police and authorities led by police superintendent of Magwe Township caught five women and one man in a raid on Magwe Minthamee KTV lounge. The police team raided the KTV after reports it was running against official directives of the Ministry of Health and Sports. The six people, including the owner of the KTV, have had legal action taken against them under section 25 of the Natural Disaster Management Law. ( 7 September 2020 - DVB/Burmese) Bago Region

Twelve Hotelers Arrested for Operating Illegal Massage Parlor

On 12th September, twelve persons, including the manager running a hotel, had legal action taken for a massage parlor that was illegally opened in the hotel building in Taungoo. According to the relevant police station, the twelve persons were charged with Section 25 of the Natural Disaster Management Law. On 10th September, authorities inspected Shan Mintha Hotel, which was situated on Strand street, ward No (8) of Taungoo Township, Pegu Region, to find that a massage parlor was illegally opened and operating against the official rules of COVID infection control. ( 11 September 2020 – 7 Days News/Burmese)

Man Charged for Disturbing Quarantine Center

A man who disturbed a community-based facility quarantine in Government Technology Institute (GTI), Letpadan Township, has had legal action taken against them under Section 26 of the Natural Disaster Management Law, according to Ko Kyaw Zin Than, assistant in-charge of the quarantine center. Ko Kyaw Zin Than said that the man, Kyaw Min Htun, disturbed the center because he did not agree to placing his

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younger brother Htun Naung Shein, who had returned home from Mingaladon Township, Yangon, in the center. U Thura Htun Linn, chairperson of COVID-19 spread control committee, acted as plaintiff in the case. ( 5 September 2020 - DVB/Burmese)

Eight Men Charged for Being Unruly in Quarantine Center, Taungoo, Bago Region

On 25th September, eight villagers from Kyaydaw village, Taungoo Township were charged under the Natural Disaster Management Law for being unruly in the quarantine center at Taungoo old TTC building, according to U Aung Kyaw Min, administrator of No 7 ward caretaker of the center. The eight villagers came to the center to deliver required things for their kindred two quarantined persons, and quarreled with responsible persons of the center. A volunteer worker of the quarantine center was injured on his head according to staff of the center. ( 26 September 2020 - Voice of Myanmar/Burmese)

Mandalay Region

Ward Administrator Beaten by Quarantining Returnees from Yangon in Maikhtila Township

On September 9, a ward administrator from Maikhtila Township was beaten when trying to hospitalize a person whose COVID-19 test result was found positive. Four residents, including Min Min Soe, assaulted the administrator for not agreeing to hospitalizing the person who had returned home from Hlaing Thaya Township, Yangon Region. According to No (2) Maikhtila Police Station, U Aung Ngwe the administrator of Aung Zaya ward, was injured on his head, cheek and little finger, his four teeth were loose as well. On 10th September, the case was legally opened at the police station in accordance with section 332/294/114 of the Penal Code. Three family members, including the COVID-19 patient, came to Mailhtila to hold a ceremonial donation event, it is said. ( 11 September 2020 - DVB/Burmese)

Ward Administrator Beaten For Trying to Collect COVID-19 Patient for Quarantine

According to the police force, a centiousehold administrator, U Hla Naing, was hit and beaten while he and members of the Social Service Association tried to pick up two women who had contact with a COVID-19 positive patient for quarantine in Pyi Gyi Dagun Township, Mandalay on 24 Sep 2020. U Hla Naing was beaten for taking photos as a record by five families of two women who disagreed with photos taken. He got injuries on his head, face, and back. Therefore, they were charged under section (Pa)495/2020, 294, 323, and 114 at Pyi Gyi Dagun Township Police Station. ( 27 September 2020 - The Voice Myanmar/Burmese)

People in Imprisoned for Failing to Curfew

On September 1st, 2020, 13 people from Chanayethazan Township, 9 from Aungmyaythazan Township, 10 from Mahaaungmyay Township, 9 from Pyigyidagon Township, 8 from Township, 7 from Township and 1 from were sentenced to one month’s imprisonment under Section 188 of the Penal Code in the respective Mandalay region township courts for failing to abide by the curfew. ( 2 September 2020 - The Mandalay News Journal/Burmese) 8

( 1September 2020 - Eleven Media/Burmese)

Twelve Jailed for Breaking Curfew in Township, Mandalay

On 3rd September in Mahlaing Township, Mandalay region, the township court sentenced 12 people to one month’s imprisonment under Section 188 of the Penal Code for breaking curfew. Mahlaing Township administrator acted as the plaintiff of the case for the 12 people who disobeyed the official curfew of local authorities. ( 4 September 2020 - DVB/Burmese)

Six People Sentenced to One Month’s Imprisonment for not Curfewing

In September, a judge in Maikhtila Township, Mandalay Region, sentenced 6 people who did not abide by the curfew to one month’s imprisonment without labour under section 188 of the Penal Code. Out of those 6 persons, 3 were arrested by police patrol of Maikhtila Myoma police station and the other 3 by No 3 police station on 8th September. The case was applied directly to the township court by the deputy township administrator as the plaintiff of the case. ( 9 September 2020 - DVB/Burmese)

Three Curfew Breakers Jailed in Maikhtila, Mandalay

Three people including Thurain Lin (a.k.a Rakhine Gyi) were sentenced to one month’s imprisonment without labour under Section 188 of the Penal Code on 14th September by the Maikhtila Township Court for walking along the bank of Wunzin Lake, breaking the rules of curfew. In Maikhtila Township, Mandalay Region, on 4th September four persons had already been sentenced to imprisonment, and on 8th September six persons more were, therefore the latest three imprisoned made a total of 13 prisoners for failing to follow the regional order of curfew. ( 15 September 2020 - DVB/Burmese)

Sagaing Region

Seven Youths in Kale University Quarantine Center

On 20 September, seven youths, who have been quarantined in Kale University, were charged under section 6(1) of the Public Property Protection Act and the Natural Disaster Management Law for destroying the door of the school building, according to Sub-Lieutenant Police Officer Zaw Moe Aung. The seven youths, Lah Pattalun, Zoemain Htan, Ban Lah Haye, Ban Bwe Oak, Bwe Hnaung Oak, Chan Min Oo and Htinn Nwon Moung, were drunk and unruly on the 17th September when they committed the destruction. It is said that the seven youths were uncontrollable on the pretext of inconveniences in quarantine, volunteer groups and administrators had difficulty stopping them. Kyaw Zaya Phyoe, the caretaker of the center legally opened the case as the plaintiff on 20th September. ( 21September 2020 - Eleven Media/Burmese)

Person Who Stole Phone From COVID-19 Positive Patient Is Detained Alone in Quarantine Center

On 25 September, a 27-year-old who on 24 September stole the handset phone of a COVID-19 positive patient of Kawlin Hospital, Kachin State, was arrested and detained alone in the quarantine center, 9

according to Kawlin Township Administrator U Ye Myat Thein. Moreover, the offender was charged under the Natural Disaster Management Law. The COVID-19 patient ,owner of the stolen phone, has been receiving medical treatment in an ICU of Kawlinn hospital. (26 September 2020 – 7 Days News/Burmese)

Irrawaddy Region

Village Administrator Faces Legal Action for Misusing Subsidy

U Aung Htun Kyaw, the administrator of Maikthalin village track was fired and charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code for misusing government subsidy for people in need for his own interest, according to a report of the police department office of Irrawaddy region. The village administrator misused 4.5 million kyat of government subsidy for his own interests and deputy township administration has acted as the plaintiff of the case. ( 30 September 2020 - The Voice Myanmar/Burmese) ( 29 September 2020 - DVB/Burmese)

Naypyitaw Council

Absconders from Quarantine Center in Naypyitaw Arrested

According to Sub-Lieutenant Police Officer Thet Naing Oo, in-charge of surveillance of Pyinmana Myoma Police Station, they arrested two absconders from the quarantine center of a 200 bed hospital and Sibin guest house and handed them over to the Zabuthiri Township police station to take legal action under the Natural Management Disaster Law. The absconder from Sibin guest house was arrested with the help of residents and ward administration authorities at his home on 9th September and transferred to No (1) police station of Zabuthiri Myoma Police Force to be taken a legal action under the Natural Disaster Management while the absconder from the 200 bed hospital was arrested in Shine Village of according to the police officer. (13 September 2020 – 7 Days News/Burmese)

For more information: Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) Aung Myo Kyaw In-Charge of AAPP Yangon Office +95 (0) 428117348 Zaw Moe In-Charge of Documentation and Research Department Deputy of Foreign Affair +95 (0) 979 588 1016 Paing Yii Hmway Deputy In-Charge of Documentation and Research Department +95 (0) 997 303 1050

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