In an interview with the Irrawaddy that some may find shocking, Zaw Htay, the spokesman for the president’s office, says allegations of abuse and torture that have emerged as authorities sweep northern Rakhine State after deadly attacks on October 9 killed nine policeman are “totally wrong.”
And not only wrong, but purposefully wrong, made to stir up trouble and manipulate the media.
“We’ve heard that individuals and organizations that [allegedly] support terrorism and international extremists provide false reports and information—documents, photos, and videos about incidents in other countries—to news agencies,” he was quoted as saying, without providing any instances or evidence.
“They mix some correct information with plenty of fabricated information and then give this to human rights and media organizations over the phone and through other communications channels.”
Allegations of arrests made without evidence and of torture are “totally wrong, he added later in the interview. “
“We haven’t done that. We deny those accusations.”
This week a panel of UN experts called for a probe into alleged abuses. Zaw Htay told the Irrawaddy that anyone with “strong evidence” could send it to the appropriate body of the UN.
Read the full interview here.
