Myanmar: CFWIJ Welcomes The Release Of Journalist Shin Moe Myint
Location: Myanmar, Yangon
Date: March 4, 2021
Journalist Shin Moe Myint was released after spending two days in detention for being at a protest. She was physically assaulted prior to her arrest. As the situations in Myanmar worsen, following the military coup, journalists continue to face harrowing challenges to their civil liberties.
23-year-old photographer Shin Moe Myint was released on March 2, 2021 following a brief detention in police custody. She was present at a demonstration on Padonemar Street, Sang Chaung Township, on the 28th February, 2021. The protest became confrontational and resulted in clashes between the police and the demonstrators during which Shin Moe Myint sought safety behind a cart. She was eventually pulled out from her hiding place and threatened by an armed police officer. She was physically assaulted by several police officers before she was taken into custody. During her time in detention, her whereabouts were not made known to the public resulting in widespread fear for her health and safety. Shin Moe Myint was eventually released two days later.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism grows increasingly concerned at the violence that journalists in Myanmar are facing for merely doing their jobs. Physically assaulting and abducting young women journalists, in order to intimidate them and discourage others in the journalist community for reporting on the deteriorating political conditions is reprehensible. Even though we are glad to see that Shin Moe Myint is safe and was released, the very act of detaining her is condemnable. We urge the international community to pay attention to the situation in Myanmar and ensure the safety of the journalists working in the country.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
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