RANGOON — A man who was accused of sexual abuse of two underage children in Mandalay has been sentenced to 40 years in prison on Friday, according to local police.
On November 28, 40-year-old U Hla Htwe—also known as U Kyin Watt—was accused of sexually abusing two children, a boy, aged seven, and a four-year-old girl, who live in a squatter’s hut in Chanayethazan township in Mandalay.
U Hla Htwe was arrested and was being investigated under sections 376 and 377 of Burma’s Penal Code for rape and “unnatural offenses,” both of which can be punished with up to 20 years in prison and additional fines.
U Hla Htwe was sentenced under both sections and given 40 years with hard labor, said a local authority.
Women’s rights activists, as well as members of the public, have voiced concern over the significant rise in child rape cases and have carried out a campaign calling for harsher penalties against sex offenders. There have even been calls for the death penalty.
Lawmakers also raised the issue in Parliament and the government has promised to revise laws affecting children to better protect minors.