Myanmar: CFWIJ demands Myanmar to end police violence against journalists immediately

/
0.jpeg

March 1, 2021, Monywa – Two female reporters were detained and released shortly after while covering the anti-coup developments in Monywa. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is utterly dismayed by deliberate police violence against journalists in Myanmar. We call upon the law enforcement authorities to provide a safer environment to journalists and to respect press freedom. The Myanmar crisis needs to be addressed urgently by all stakeholders in the country to end this curb on critical voices.

On February 25, two female journalists were detained by the security forces when they went to the police station for a follow-up interview with military personnel. The journalists were released shortly after their detention. They were charged with causing fear to a group of citizens or the public, spreading false news, or provoking a coronal offence against a government employee.

According to journalist Cape Diamond, one of the journalist's husband was told that they were charged at midnight. If convicted, two reporters are facing up to seven years sentence in prison.

The Irrawaddy also revealed that at least 25 journalists were detained during the anti-regime demonstrations across Myanmar between February 14 to March 1. 10 journalists are still under custody. The journalists were covering stories about anti-coup protests held in Yangon, Myitkyina, Monywa, Hakha, Magwe, Pathein, Pyay, Mawlamyine and other cities.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is closely monitoring and documenting all these cases of threats and violence against women journalists in Myanmar. On February 27, multimedia journalist Kay Zon Nwe was detained while following an anti-coup protest held in Sanchaung, Yangon. The reporter was live-streaming from the sight of protest where the police cracked down on protestors. The whereabouts of Kay Zone remains unknown after the detention.

Also, at least eight journalists were arrested earlier in Kachin state for their coverage of anti-coup rallies. Authorities have enforced censorship by issuing warnings to press bodies and media houses to use the “right language” to describe what is going on in the country.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns police violence against journalists across the country. Once again we call for an immediate solution to this crisis and urge international organizations to join hands and put pressure on the Myanmar military government to not torture its people.