Khaing Lay, May 25, Mongpauk
The United Wa State Army (UWSA) executed two men in Mongpauk city, Wa State, a de facto independent state and self-governing region in northern Shan State, on May 22, according to residents. One man was executed for raping a young girl, and the other for murder.
A resident familiar with the cases told Shwe Phee Myay that both individuals were charged with rape and murder, respectively, and their cases were heard in court. The court then ordered their public execution.
“The first man committed rape against a young girl. The other man, a drug user, got angry and killed his friend, also a drug user, after being denied drugs he desperately needed. The court ordered their execution,” he said.
Given the severe impact of the crimes on victims and potential broader social consequences, the court issued execution orders after plaintiff lawyers filed lawsuits against the perpetrators, he explained.
The UWSA stated that such public executions aim not only to severely punish criminals but also to convey to residents and society that their armed group operates in accordance with their motto: “The laws couldn’t be violated, and the offense should be punished!”
The UWSA also urged communities to view these executions as warnings, encouraging them to live lawfully, value their lives, and avoid the allure of narcotics and other harmful activities.
Additionally, on May 14, the UWSA executed two of its own supply corps soldiers for stealing and selling arms to another armed group.
Among Myanmar’s ethnic armed groups, the UWSA is not alone in using the death sentence. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, a member of the Brotherhood Alliance that launched Operation 1027, seizing many towns in northern Shan State, also employs it, as does the Kachin Independence Organization in Kachin State.
Translated by #KLT
You can read and listen to our Shwe Phee Myay’s reports, not only on Facebook and our Website, but also on the following channels:
