Times-15 Dec 2017
The United Nations, embassies, media organisations and human rights groups said that the arrest of two Reuters journalists represents a threat and erosion to press freedom in the country.
The two journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, were detained late on Tuesday night in Yangon after being driven to meet two police officers. The authorities said the two were in possession of sensitive documents , and that they will be charged under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which carries a maximum prison term of fourteen years.
Wa Lone has been one of the Reuters team reporting on the Rakhine crisis since August this year. He used to work for The Myanmar Times, specialising in politics and general news. Kyaw Soe Oo is from Rakhine, and joined the Reuters team in September.
Twelve media groups issued a joint letter saying that the authorities use of an outdated law to charge the reporters would tarnish the reputation of the democratic government. The arrests also represented a challenge against the freedom of expression. Additionally, the fact that the families of the arrested could not contact the reporters and had not been informed about the situation is a violation of human rights, they said.
The 12 media organisations called for a release of both reporters. The organisations include the Myanmar Journalist Network (MJN), Myanmar Journalist Association (MJA), Myanmar Journalists Union (MJU), Burma News International (BNI), Myanmar Media Lawyers’ Network (MML), and the Myanmar Women Journalists Society (MWJS), which are based in Yangon, and other regional organisations such as the Arakan Journalist Association and Taunggyi Journalist Association.
According to the latest information from Ma Pan Ei, wife of Wa Lone, his father’s house was searched by policemen last night and she still could not confirm his location.
“We can’t confirm where they were even when the Ministry of Information had already announced that they were arrested under the Official Secrets Act,” she said.
Reuters’ reaction
Stephen Adler, president and editor-in-chief of Reuters, said the organisation was “outraged by this blatant attack on press freedom”.
“Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been reporting on events of global importance in Myanmar, and we learned today that they have been arrested in connection with their work. We are outraged by this blatant attack on press freedom. We call for authorities to release them immediately,” he said.
Government’s Defense
The Ministry of Information acknowledged the arrest on Wednesday saying that the Reuters journalists and two policemen faced charges under the British colonial-era Official Secrets Act. The ministry also released a photo of the two reporters in handcuffs with their faces partially obscured on its official Facebook page. The statement said that the journalists “illegally acquired information with the intention to share it with foreign media”.
UN Weighs In
“It is clearly a concern in relation to the erosion of press freedom in the country,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said yesterday regarding the detention of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo.
“And probably the reason why these journalists were arrested is because they were reporting on what they have seen in relation to this massive human tragedy,” he added.
FCCM’s response
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Myanmar released a statement online on Wednesday saying the club was “appalled” and “deeply shocked” by the action of the authorities, adding that they are “gravely concerned” with the press freedom in the country.
“We are deeply shocked to learn that police have filed a case against them under section 3 of the 1923 Official Secret Act.
“The FCCM is gravely concerned with the state of press freedom in Myanmar as the journalists were detained while carrying out their journalistic work.”
Meanwhile, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand released a statement calling on the Myanmar authorities to release both reporters immediately. The statement labelled the government’s action “a blunt legal instrument” which “poses a real threat to media freedom”.
“The FCCT’s professional membership is alarmed by the use of this draconian law with its heavy penalties against journalists simply doing their jobs. Wielding such a blunt legal instrument has an intimidating effect on other journalists, and poses a real threat to media freedom. The government should instead give journalists access to Rakhine State so that they can report accurately on developments there.
“The FCCT’s professional membership respectfully calls on the Myanmar authorities to release both reporters immediately,” the FCCT said.
Diplomats ‘deeply concerned’
A spokesperson of the British embassy in Yangon said the UK is “deeply concerned” by the arrests and highlighted the importance of press freedom and the rule of law. The spokesperson added that the UK has raised the concerns with Nay Pyi Taw.
“We are deeply concerned by the arrests of Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo on Tuesday evening in connection with their work. Journalists must be allowed to work freely and without intimidation. Press freedom and the rule of law are fundamental to any democratic society.
“We have raised our concerns with the Burmese [Myanmar] Government, urging them to explain these arrests and allow immediate access to the two journalists,” the spokesperson said.
Similarly, the European Union has also issued a press statement calling on the government to ensure the protection of the rights of the two journalists.
“The EU Delegation is closely following their case and we call on the Myanmar authorities to ensure the full protection of their rights. Media freedom is the foundation of any democracy,” the EU delegation said.
The US embassy in Yangon said on Wednesday the US was “deeply concerned” over the “highly irregular” arrest of the two journalists. BY NAW BETTY HANTHOMPSON CHAU
