Myanmar: CFWIJ Condemns The Unjustified Detention Of Kay Zon Nwe
Location: Myanmar
Date: February 27, 2021
Multimedia journalist Kay Zon Nwe was detained while following an anti-coup protest held in Sanchaung, Yangon on Saturday noon. 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. Several demonstrations were held in different parts of Yangon, the biggest city of Myanmar. Security forces were deployed in heavy numbers. In videos on the Internet, soldiers are seen running after media workers, also beating and dragging protesters towards police vans. CFWIJ condemns this police brutality and demands law enforcement authorities in Myanmar to release the journalist. The Myanmar crisis needs to be addressed urgently by all stakeholders in the country to end this curb on critical voices.
Kay Zone Nwe is seen taken away by two security officer personnel while they held her from the bag she was carrying on her shoulders. The journalist was detained while she was live-streaming an anti-coup protest from Sanchaung, Yangon. There are reports of one more arrest of a media worker. Since the recent coup took place on February 1, people in Myanmar are observing unimaginable torture and harassment from security forces. The environment for a free press is very harsh. Several journalists left their job and sat home in silent protest as they could not continue to work in constant fear.
Myanmar Now's multi-media reporter, Ms.Kay Zon Nwe, was taken away by the police while she was live-streaming a protest crackdown around noon at Myaynigone Junction in Yangon. We are still trying to find out her whereabouts. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/cZwHJqvCCG
— Myanmar Now (@Myanmar_Now_Eng) February 27, 2021
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is documenting all these cases of threats and violence against women journalists in Myanmar. 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 journalists' community in Myanmar finds itself in continuous fear. Security forces have unfiltered into civil communities making it more difficult for journalists to work freely. CFWIJ spoke to Seng Mai, a female journalist, editor-in-chief of the only news outlet in Kachin State. She described how she and her colleagues have moved several times in search of shelter to avoid arrest. According to Seng, she also moved all her office equipment as soon as she heard about the coup.
Security forces have used rubber bullets, stun guns, and aerial firing to disseminate protestors. There is no accountability for their inhumane and brutal abuse of power. The Coalition For Women In Journalism once again condemns this unjustified torture on journalists and protestors in Myanmar. We call for an immediate solution to this crisis and urge international organizations to join hands and put pressure on Myanmar military government to not torture its people.
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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