Comment Myanmar’s military junta has arrested a former British ambassador and her husband, according to multiple people familiar with the situation. A government spokesman said Thursday night that the pair were charged with violating the country’s immigration law. Vicky Bowman served as the British ambassador from 2002 to 2006 and is now director of the Myanmar Center for Responsible Business. Her husband, Htein Lin, is a prominent artist and former political prisoner. The couple were arrested at their residence in Yangon and have been sent to the notorious Insein Prison, according to local reports. A brief statement from a foreign affairs spokesman in London said authorities were “concerned about the arrest of a British woman” and providing consular assistance. The arrest is likely to deepen the isolation of Myanmar’s military junta, known as the Tatmadaw, which seized power in a coup last year. The military has cracked down on dissent, arresting thousands of protesters and political figures, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Human Rights Watch called for the couple’s release, saying the arrest was “outrageous and unacceptable.” “Once again, the Tatmadaw shows why it is among the worst rights abusers in Southeast Asia,” deputy Asia director Phil Robertson tweeted. On Thursday, Britain imposed sanctions on businesses linked to the military, although the announcement did not appear to be related to the arrests. Britain is also backing a genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice over its treatment of Rohingya Muslims and has expressed support for Myanmar’s Government of National Unity, a shadow government in exile. Britain was among several countries to condemn the junta’s recent execution of pro-democracy activists. Its top diplomat in the country, Pete Vowles, said last month that he was “forced by the junta to leave, but glad we did not give in to pressure to legitimize their brutal coup”. Cabato reported from Manila and Tan from Singapore.
