Release journalists immediately: AI

Release journalists immediately: AI
by -
Mizzima
Aye Naing and Pyae Bone Naing from the Democratic Voice of Burma and Thein Zaw, also known as Lawi Weng, from The Irrawaddy
Aye Naing and Pyae Bone Naing from the Democratic Voice of Burma and Thein Zaw, also known as Lawi Weng, from The Irrawaddy

The Myanmar authorities must immediately release three journalists, who were detained while carrying out their work in conflict-afflicted northern Shan State, Amnesty International said today.

Aye Nai and Pyae Phone Naing, both reporters for the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), and Thein Zaw (aka Lawi Weng), a reporter for the Irrawaddy newspaper, were arrested along with four other people they were travelling with. At present, there is no information as to the identities of the four other detainees.

“These journalists must be immediately and unconditionally released, and allowed to resume their work freely and without fear. Their arrests send a chilling message to Myanmar’s already embattled media,” said James Gomez, Amnesty International’s Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Amnesty International has learned that the group was arrested by soldiers at a military checkpoint at Payargyi village, in northern Shan State’s Namhsan township, at approximately 3:30pm local time. The journalists were in the area to report on a drug burning ceremony to mark today’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

These journalists must be immediately and unconditionally released, and allowed to resume their work freely and without fear. Their arrests send a chilling message to Myanmar’s already embattled media
James Gomez, Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific

A statement from the Ministry of Defence, posted on Facebook by the Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces, says the group was arrested for being in contact with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

The TNLA is one of several ethnic armed groups currently locked in a conflict with the Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s military forces, in northern Myanmar.

In its statement, the Ministry of Defence threatened to take action against the group “according to the law”. There are fears that the seven people arrested may be charged with the vague and repressive Unlawful Associations Act, often used to arbitrarily arrest and detain people in ethnic and conflict affected areas, both predominantly along Myanmar’s borders.

The space for journalists to do their critically important work is under threat as the authorities continue to invoke a slew of draconian laws to silence, arrest and imprison them and restrict access to areas where the military operates.

“These arrests are a crude attempt to intimidate journalists by a military that cannot seem to abide even the faintest criticism. Fearful of any scrutiny of its role in northern Myanmar, where they stand accused of war crimes, the army is doing its best to stop journalists and other observers from accessing these areas,” said James Gomez.

More news from Mizzima
March 6, 2024
The Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) has handed down prison sentences and fines to...
March 4, 2024
Dr. Nyo Twan Aung, deputy commander-in-chief of the Arakan Army (AA), stated in a press...
February 29, 2024
On February 28th, Myawaddy TV, a channel controlled by the Military Council, declared martial...
February 20, 2024
The Three Brotherhood Alliance declared on February 19th that genuine peace and stability in...