Thousands protest in Yangon over toddler rape

Thousands of protesters marched in Yangon yesterday as outrage over the rape of a two-year-old spilled onto the streets following a viral online campaign in a case that has left Myanmar society reeling.

The assault took place in May in Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw but a public campaign escalated last week after the girl’s father spoke to local media, venting his anger about the inquiry’s progress.

He gave details of how his daughter had returned from nursery with injuries doctors told him were the result of rape.

Yesterday in Yangon, demonstrators descended on the police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the city’s north.

Many dressed in white, carrying banners in Burmese and English, and chanting for “justice” for the girl as well as better security for the nation’s children.

“As a mother of a daughter, I came here to call for the truth,” 31-year-old Ei Mon Ko told AFP.

One man was arrested Wednesday and charged with the attack, although there is public scepticism over whether the authorities have the right person.

In a press conference Friday, police cited the use of CCTV footage as evidence against the suspect.

The nursery has been closed down and six other private kindergartens in Naypyidaw are temporarily shut.

The case has horrified the country, with a Facebook campaign gathering momentum for weeks as people changed their profile photos to call for “Justice for Victoria” -- a pseudonym given to the girl.