Nay San Lwin, a Prominent Bangagya Activist, Misused UN Reporting for Propaganda Purposes

News Analysis

Global Arakan Network September 2, 2025

NSL's Post on Social Media (photocrd)

On August 29, 2025, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a report titled Situation of Human Rights of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar. The report addresses general human rights conditions and several human rights violations across Myanmar, particularly those perpetrated by the Myanmar junta, currently known as the State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC).

Additionally, paragraph 39 of the report references allegations concerning an incident in Htan Shauk Khan village, Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State, on May 2, 2024, where hundreds of civilian casualties were reported. The report notes:

“In an incident in Htan Shauk Khan village, Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State, on 2 May 2024, in which hundreds of civilian casualties were reported, multiple sources alleged that over 1,000 Rohingya villagers had fled in fear of possible clashes. Witnesses described being stopped by Arakan Army elements, divided into three groups in paddy fields, and fired upon, resulting in numerous deaths. One interviewee described the scene as ‘a river of blood. … I saw shooting. I saw mass killing. It was a lot of guns; people were shot in the legs and chest.’ Another survivor recounted the killing of 20 relatives, including 3 children.”

However, the UN report lacks clarity on the specifics of the incident and whether it occurred as described. The claims rely solely on “one interviewee” (whose identity is not disclosed) and lack tangible evidence, relying instead on hearsay and unverified “eyewitness” accounts. Moreover, the UN report clearly shows that there is insufficient evidence or proof to substantiate the incident.

The Global Arakan Network (GAN) has exposed these claims as fabricated, noting their use by Al Jazeera and Nay San Lwin to spread disinformation.

More importantly, the ULA authorities have also publicly invited various media agencies and journalists to show accountability and transparency on this allegation in recent weeks.

For individuals like Nay San Lwin, however, such vague descriptions in UN reports provide a strategic opportunity to bolster false allegations. This case exemplifies how an influential social media activist can manipulate general statements in UN reports to advance a propaganda agenda.

Nay San Lwin, who currently resides in Germany, should be held accountable under Section 823(1) of the German Civil Code (Buergerliches Gesetzbuch - BGB), which states:

“A person who, intentionally or negligently, unlawfully injures the life, body, health, freedom, property, or another right of another person is liable to make compensation to the other party for the resulting damage.”