Mawlamyine, December (10)
Mon State’s Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are bracing themselves for fewer donations and stringent rules imposed by brutal military junta, the sources close to the matter told Than Lwin Times.
The CSOs are having a hard time carrying out their volunteer work due to strict rules and limitations, such as being monitored, arrested, and interrogated in post-coup Myanmar.
Among them, civil organisations face greater challenges in providing services and moving around due to the Organization Registration Law passed by the Military Council on October 28.
A member of civil society groups, who did not wish to be named, said that after the military coup, he could no longer help the people as boldly as before, and they feel insecure since the Military Council accused civil society organizations of involving themselves in politics and arrested them.
He added that civil society organizations can no longer actively assist the people and must prioritize the safety of their own organizations and family members.
Whoever commits the provisions in Section 33 shall, on conviction, be punished with a fine not exceeding one million Kyats or three years’ imprisonment.
The law stipulated that whatever registered organization commits the provisions in Sections 38 and 39 shall, on conviction, be punished, the official of the organization shall be punished with a fine not exceeding five million Kyats or five-year imprisonment or both, and an order shall be adopted to nullify the organization and confiscate money and assets of the organization.
According to an official from CSOs, the role of civil society organizations was lost under the military regime.
Before the military takeover, civil society organizations were able to help the people in education, health, social, economic, and other sectors.
Since the military takeover, civil society organizations have been unable to assist with social work, and several organizations have stopped offering their services.
News-Than Lwin Times
