MrSocial News [Admin]
May 17, 20212 min
The conviction and three-year sentence handed down to Min Nyo shows the appalling situation faced by journalists in Myanmar, where they risk life and liberty to shed light on the military’s abuses. The military authorities are ruthless, determined to crush dissent by silencing those who seek to expose their crimes.
“Since the 1 February coup, scores of journalists have been arbitrarily detained, threatened, arrested and even shot at. Journalism in Myanmar has effectively been criminalized and DVB, a publication which began in exile, has been forced underground once more.
“Min Nyo’s conviction must be quashed, and he should be released immediately – along with all other journalists, activists and human rights defenders imprisoned and detained solely for their peaceful opposition to the military coup.”
Background
Section 505(a) of the colonial-era Penal Code makes it a crime to publish or circulate any ‘statement, rumour or report, with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, any officer, soldier, sailor or airman, in the Army, Navy or Air Force to mutiny or otherwise disregard or fail in his duty as such". This law is often used by the military authorities to persecute journalists and activists, in violation of the rights to freedom of expression.
Since the coup on 1 February, the Myanmar military has revoked the licenses of several media outlets including DVB.
Amnesty International reiterates its call for the Thai authorities to honour their obligations under international law.
Amnesty International opposes refoulement, which is prohibited under international law, in all cases without exception. Non-refoulement is an international legal principle that prohibits the transfer of individuals to another country or jurisdiction where they would face a real risk of serious human rights violations or abuses. It is part of customary international law, making it binding upon all states regardless of whether they ratified the relevant treaties.
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