Myanmar: Two Reporters Injured, Arrested By Military Forces While Covering Anti-Regime Protest
Location: Myanmar, Yangon
Date: December 10, 2021
Ma Hmu Yadanar Khet Moh Moh Tun, a video journalist with the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency, and her colleague, photographer Kaung Sett Lin, were critically injured and subsequently arrested by the military forces while covering a peaceful anti-regime protest in Yangon last week. Both the journalists were injured when a military vehicle drove through the crowd of protestors and onlookers. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is appalled at the brutal force employed by the military junta against the protestors and the journalists. We vehemently condemn this attack and call for the immediate release of Hmu Yadanar and her colleague.
Hmu Yadanar was on ground to cover a peaceful protest on Sunday, December 4, 2021, in Yangon’s western Kyimyindaing, when in broad daylight a military vehicle rammed into the crowd of participants. Around 30 people reportedly participated in the anti-regime protest. Following the attack, Hmu Yadanar and her colleague were arrested.
“We are not allowed to see her, all we know from her doctor is that she is alive, though unconscious,” The Irrawaddy news website quoted one of Hmu Yadanar’s relatives as saying the following day.
Meanwhile, a photo posted on social media showed Hmu Yadanar on a hospital bed with serious injuries to her head, indicating that her condition is critical and extremely concerning. She reportedly underwent surgery at a military hospital in Yangon.
Media reports stated that the military truck stormed the crowd running over protestors from behind. The regime forces also opened fire at the protestors as they scrammed to get out of harm's way. At least five people were reportedly killed while dozens were arrested.
On Monday, December 5, 2021, reports by regime-controlled newspapers stated that a total of 11 people were arrested from the protest. These reports stated that one woman was seriously injured and two men suffered minor injuries but made no mention of the protestors killed.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is extremely concerned for the well being and safety of Ma Hmu Yadanar Khet Moh Moh Tun and her colleague. Both the journalists must immediately be released from the military’s custody and be provided proper medical treatment. Myanmar ranked 140th out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index. Since the military junta’s coup in February as many as 110 journalists have been arrested and at least 40 currently remain in detention, reports The Irrawaddy. The CFWIJ has also extensively reported on violations in Myanmar following the coup, including abductions, arbitrary detentions and forced Internet blackouts. The actions of the military junta in Myanmar are deeply reprehensible and in complete violation of basic human rights. We call on the international community to respond to the plight of journalists in Myanmar and protect women journalists fearlessly continuing to hold power to account 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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