We are writing to demand justice in the case of Kachin villager, Sumlut Roi Ja, aged 28, who has disappeared since being arbitrarily arrested by the Burma Army.
On October 28, 2011, Sumlut Roi Ja was arrested by Burma Army soldiers while farming near her village Hkai Bang, Momauk township, close to the China border. Her husband and father-in-law witnessed her being forced at gunpoint to carry corn to their camp, an outpost of Battalion 321 at Mubum. She was seen at the camp by several witnesses, but has since disappeared.
Even though Sumlut Roi Ja’s husband attempted to bring legal proceedings against the troops responsible, on 23 February, 2012, the Naypyidaw Supreme Court dismissed the case for lack of evidence. Sumlut Roi Ja’s husband was not permitted to speak at the trial, and the judge based his ruling entirely on the testimony of the military defendants. Falsehoods in the judge’s report included the claim that the case was never reported to local officials. In fact, a week after the arrest, Sumlut Roi Ja’s father-in-law had written appeal letters to the Kachin State Chief Minister, the Bhamo District governor and the Burma Army Battalion 321 commander.
This blatant perversion of justice brings shame on your government, and the independence of your judicial system. We therefore urge you to immediately authorize a re-trial of this case, to ascertain what has happened to Sumlut Roi Ja, and bring to justice those responsible for her arrest and disappearance.
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Open letter to President Thein Sein-English
Open letter to President Thein Sein-Burmese
Case report from Judge - English
Case report from Judge - Burmese
Copy of letter from Sumlut Roi Ja_s father-in-law to Kachin State Minister - English
Copy of letter from Sumlut Roi Ja_s father-in-law to Kachin State Minister - Burmese
Details of the arbitrary arrest and disappearance - English
Details of the arbitrary arrest and disappearance - Burmese
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