CNI News
22 Feb 2023
Right activists have called for not only damages but also action against older nuns from Thikhitayama Nunnery in Kyauktan Township in Yangon Region, who committed right abuses against Ta'ang children, they told the CNI.
After negotiations, the nunnery agreed to pay compensations for children who have been receiving medical treatments but action should also be taken against the nunnery for physical harms and mental trauma suffered by the children, Spokesperson Lway Chi Sa Ngar of the Ta'ang Women Organization told the CNI.
A victim nun named Lway Mya Aung, who can no longer walk or speak due to injuries. (Shwe Phee Myay)
She said, "From the perspective of our organization, it is necessary to take mental trauma suffered by children into consideration. As far as we know, some children faced life-threatening situations. Giving compensation alone is unacceptable. In addition to compensations, other action should also be taken against those who are responsible. Abusing children in the name of religion is completely unacceptable. To prevent such abuses in the future, action should be taken against them. However, we don't know the details at present. The issue should be further discussed."
Sixteen children from Khongnin and Kyaungkham villages in Kyaukme Township were allowed to enter novitiate and sent to Thukhitayama Nunnery to study there by their parents in April, 2022.
However, five nuns from them were sent back to Kyaukme on 10th February, 2023 after they had sustained injuries caused by senior nuns there.
A victim nun named Lway Win Win Khaing demonstrates how she was tied and tortured. (Shwe Phee Myay)
A seven-year old nun has been maimed so badly that she is undergoing treatments at the Kyaukme People's Hospital.
To prevent such incidents in the future, Sangha Nayaka committees in respective townships are required to give instructions on child rights to monasteries and nunneries in their townships, Woman and Human Rights Activist Dr Nyo Nyo Thin told the CNI.
She said, "Some parents trust their children to monasteries and ask monks to punish the children by beating in accordance with Myanmar tradition. However, traditions can be accepted to a certain extent. Excessive measures will not be accepted by the society and action will be taken against those who are responsible. Some traditions must be changed if necessary. If the children were exploited for economic interests, it would amount to human trafficking. Whether they are novices or not, they have their own rights as children."
A nun from Kyaukme, who is left at the nunnery reportedly called her father and said she was happy at the nunnery and told her father not to come and fetch her, according to the Shwe Phee Myay News Agency.
A victim nun named Lway Nwan Kham with injuries all over her body. (Shwe Phee Myay)
However, the father said she might have been forced to say that by senior nuns and he wants to go and fetch her because he is worried about her.
The Ta'ang Sangha Organization (Yangon), the Ta'ang Literature and Culture Association, nuns, Shagha Nayaka committees and responsible officials from the ward held negotiations with the nunnery.
Responsible nuns from the nunnery have agreed to send the remaining nuns to Myaukme and to pay medical charges for the injured nuns.
