CPJ calls on Myanmar to free Reuters journalists, drop investigation
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 8 January 2018
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The Committee to Protect Journalists has called for the release of two Reuters journalists detained in Myanmar. They are accused of violating the Official Secrets Act but have not been formally charged.Summary
WASHINGTON - The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday called on Myanmar authorities to cease all legal proceedings and release from jail two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, whose work involved reporting on conflict-ridden Rakhine state.
The two were arrested December 12 on suspicions of violating Myanmar’s colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which carries maximum penalties of 14 years in prison. They have not been formally charged.
“The proceedings against Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are a transparent attempt to intimidate the media and to prevent coverage of the unfolding tragedy of the Rohingya people in Myanmar’s Rakhine state,” said Steven Butler, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator. “The two reporters should not be in jail for trying to uncover the truth about this story of vital public interest.”
The two journalists are expected to appear in court on January 10, when the prosecutor could request that charges be filed, Reuters reported yesterday. - CPJ news alert
Key Points
- CPJ calls for the release of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo.
- The journalists were arrested on December 12, 2017.
- Charges have not yet been formally filed against them.
- The case is seen as an intimidation tactic against the media.
- The reporters were investigating the Rohingya crisis in Rakhine state.
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