NUG vows to end regime impunity in crimes against journalists

By Admin 02 Nov 2024

DMG Newsroom
2 November 2024, Mrauk-U

The parallel National Unity Government (NUG) has vowed to end impunity for crimes and human rights violations committed by the military regime against journalists in Myanmar.

In a message marking International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, a United Nations-recognised day observed annually on November 2, the NUG said it had been systematically documenting crimes and human rights violations committed by the military regime against journalists as well as cooperating with local and international partners.

"Due to the violence, harassment and intimidation systematically committed by the terrorist military, journalism has become a career full of danger," said the NUG.

The NUG commended Myanmar journalists for their efforts to uphold the truth and protect press freedom and the public right to information despite violence and repression by the military junta.

The NUG said it attached importance to establishing a society in which journalists can work freely, and press freedom is respected. It added that press freedom is an essential component of a future, federal democratic union in Myanmar, and a pillar in the struggle for justice, accountability and human rights.

On August 21, two journalists from Mon State, Ko Htet Myat Thu and Ko Win Htut Oo, were shot dead by junta soldiers at their home.

According to Reporters Without Borders, seven journalists have been killed and 64 others arrested since the military's February 2021 coup.

"It has become difficult to do our job after the coup," said one journalist from Arakan State. "It is not an easy task to inform the public about the human rights violations by the Myanmar military. I have been in hiding for years."

The military regime imposed a crackdown on media following the coup, cancelling the licences of media outlets, and arresting, prosecuting and jailing journalists.

One freelance reporter said: "It is quite dangerous to work as a journalist in junta-controlled territory. I don't want to call for this or that action against the military regime. I am only doing my best to record all their crimes."

Myanmar is ranked 171st out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders 2024 World Press Freedom Index, and is one of the world's largest jailers of journalists.

In a report published recently by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Myanmar ranked 10th on its list of the world's worst countries for impunity in the murder of journalists.