Myanmar Alliance for Transparency and Accountability (MATA) issued a statement on February 13 denouncing the violent break-up of Karenni youths' protest camp and subsequent arrests as well as calling for dialogues.

In the statement, MATA strongly denounced the act of state authorities to crack down on the protest and arrest Karenni youths that were protesting against the erection of General Aung San's statue in Loikaw of Kayin State as it was in “violation of ethnic rights to historical and cultural value, quality and freedom”.

"Local residents had already said they didn’t agree with (setting up General Aung San's statue). But authorities did what had planned. In this regard, a member of Kayah State Parliament intervened and mediated. The plan was first stopped after he promised not to do so. But later, the plan came into shape again," said Ye Aung, member of MATA leading committee.

The alliance said it would fully welcome any solution to the problem through dialogue.