The Arrest Warrant of Aung San Suu Kyi or The Cunning Act of so-called Rohingya Activists

GAN/Arakan (Rakhine State)                                          March 14, 2025

Tun Khin, a Prominent Muslim Activist (photocrd)

Currently, one of the widely discussed topics in Myanmar's political landscape is the recent arrest warrant of U Tin Kyaw and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who held the positions of President of Myanmar and State Counselor, respectively, during the previous National League for Democracy (NLD) government. The arrest warrants for them were released by a court in Argentina along with 23 military leaders. The charges stem from the 2017 violence in the Rakhine State, particularly in the Buthidaung and Maungdaw regions, where the Myanmar military retaliated against initial armed attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) group, which were later framed as "genocide" by a Muslim group called the "Burmese Rohingya Organization - United Kingdom (BROUK)."

The leader of the said Muslim group, U Tun Khin, has close connections with other Muslim activists such as Nay San Lwin and Wai Wai Nu (daughter of U Kyaw Min), as well as external Muslim political figures. It is believed that U Tun Khin and his group had grievances against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from previous times, which led to their legal action. The continued arrest warrants of individuals already detained by the military junta and the ongoing pressure from international courts raise concerns for political observers.

Violence Against Civilians

In a recent interview, the Chief of the Arakan Army, claimed that the Myanmar military had actively supported ARSA in their battles. Evidence presented through interviews also linked Myanmar junta military’s backing to ARSA. After the military coup in 2021, other Muslim insurgent groups like the RSO and ARA aligned with the Myanmar military in fighting against the Arakan Army, which solidified the claims made in these statements.

Hence, the legal action against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, taken by U Tun Khin and other Muslim leaders, is not just an oversight but is carried out with intense animosity. As a result, the ongoing arrest warrant of NLD leaders already detained by the military junta feel like an act of cruelty, as if "stabbing a drowning person with a spear."

Supporting the Military Junta

The arrest warrant of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi alongside military leader Min Aung Hlaing is seen by some as the military junta aligning themselves with known international criminals. This, however, does little to diminish the severe impact it has had on democracy advocates, particularly Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

First, it seems unjust that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who had led the democratic struggle since the 1988 pro-democracy movement and was a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is now facing the same treatment as military criminals like Min Aung Hlaing. Second, the 2021 coup led by Min Aung Hlaing has gained legitimacy in some quarters as a result of actions like this, with the military junta’s accusations of electoral fraud during the 2020 elections gaining traction. Third, the possible forced transfer of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to an Argentine court could serve as a reminder that the military junta is still terrorizing the people and ignoring international law.

The junta could use this arrest as a pretext to keep Daw Aung San Suu Kyi imprisoned for the rest of her life in the event of any future political upheaval. Therefore, the actions of U Tun Khin and his group are unintentionally supporting the military junta's efforts in gaining international recognition.

U Htin Kyaw and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (photocrd)

A Historical Perspective

Historically, the Rakhine region was home to various ethnic and religious communities, including Muslims and Christians, who coexisted peacefully. However, the majority of Muslims in the region have their roots in the colonial era, when they were brought in by the British as seasonal laborers. During World War II, under the leadership of General Aung San, Rakhine people fought against the British colonial rulers. However, Muslim soldiers from the Rakhine region sided with the British against the Japanese, which caused tension with the indigenous Buddhist population.

Later, in the early years of Myanmar’s independence, there were signs of political discontent. Some factions in the Muslim community sought to establish ties with Pakistan, going so far as to raise Pakistan flags in the Buthidaung and Maungdaw regions. These acts led to further political friction and eventually the creation of the "Rohingya" identity, seeking autonomy and land through force.

A Myanmar Junta-Backed Protest in Buthidaung (photocrd)

In the present day, Muslim militant groups like ARSA and RSO continue to align with the Myanmar military junta in battles against the Arakan Army, as well as engage in subversive activities with the government of Bangladesh. The situation remains deeply complicated as external actors, including foreign Muslim activists like U Tun Khin, continue to stoke political turmoil, and the Myanmar military further escalates its oppression.

Conclusion

In light of these historical and ongoing events, the arrest warrant of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Kyaw is a significant point of reflection on the broader political dynamics. The political consequences, both domestic and international, will continue to unfold, reminding us of the deepening historical divide and the complexities of Myanmar’s political conflict.