Eight individuals who were involved in trafficking women from Yangon, Sagaing, and Shan State (Taunggyi and Kutkai) to be sold as Chinese wives have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 10 to 20 years under anti-trafficking laws, according to a statement from the Myanmar Police Force, which operates under the Military Commission.
The report details several separate cases, highlighting the methods used by the traffickers.
Case from Taunggyi
A 27-year-old woman from Taunggyi, while seeking employment at her sister’s place in Muse, met a woman named Daw Mala. Daw Mala lured her with the promise of earning around 15,000 Yuan by marrying a Chinese man. The woman was subsequently sold to a Chinese man through a broker named Daw P’kham in Ruili, in collaboration with three men: Thein Zaw Lat (a.k.a. San Shay), Hnin Pyi Hein (a.k.a. Ko Hein), and Sai Aung Thein, and a woman named Hnin Way Oo.
On September 10, the Muse District Court sentenced Thein Zaw Lat, Hnin Pyi Hein, and Sai Aung Thein to 20 years in prison with hard labor under Section 38(a) of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of the absconding suspects, Daw Mala, Hnin Way Oo, and Daw P’kham.
Case from Yangon
In a separate incident, a 22-year-old woman from Shwepyithar Township, Yangon, was lured by a TikTok account with the promise of 6 million Myanmar Kyats to live with a Chinese man for 6 to 12 months, with all expenses covered. She was then transported to Muse by Htet Htet Hlaing (a.k.a. Ma Htet) and her accomplices, Sai Aung Thein, Thet Thet Zaw (a.k.a. Aunty Thet), and Thet Thet Aye (a.k.a. Ma Thet), and was sold through the same broker, Daw P’kham in Ruili.
After living with the man for a month without receiving any payment, the woman escaped and returned to Myanmar. However, Sai Aung Thein took her back from China and, refusing to pay her the 13,000 Yuan she was owed, imprisoned her in a house where he repeatedly beat and raped her. She was eventually freed when neighbors arrived. Following an investigation, the Muse District Court sentenced Sai Aung Thein, Thet Thet Zaw, and Thet Thet Aye to 10 years in prison with hard labor under Section 35 of the same law.
Case from Kutkai
In Kutkai, a 20-year-old woman was also enticed through a TikTok account by a person named Aye Myat Mon, who promised her 10,000 Yuan if she would live with a Chinese man for a year. After being taken to Mandalay, she was sent to Ruili to meet the man through a broker named Ma Aung Mi (a.k.a. Pi Sai On).
She was arrested while waiting in Ruili to finalize her passport and visa. On September 12, the Aungmyaythazan District Court sentenced Aye Myat Mon to 10 years in prison with hard labor under Section 35 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law, and warrants have been issued for the other fugitives.
