Independent Myanmar Journalists Association_IMJA
Statement No. 4/2024
29th August 2024
Strong Condemnation of the Long-Term Prison Sentences Imposed on Journalists Ko Myo Myint Oo and Ko Aung San Oo
The military junta arrested two journalists from Dawei Watch media, Ko Myo Myint Oo and Ko Aung San Oo, based in Myeik, Tanintharyi Region, on December 11, 2023, during the midnight hours.
Following their arrest, the junta secretly conducted trials through a military court, sentencing Ko Myo Myint Oo to life imprisonment on May 16, and Ko Aung San Oo to 20 years in prison on February 15.
Dawei Watch Media has reported that the reasons for their imprisonment and the specific charges against them were not disclosed, nor were they given the opportunity to inquire about the legal proceedings.
The Independent Myanmar Journalists Association (IMJA) has found in its research that the military junta frequently arrests journalists and imposes long-term prison sentences on them under various anti-terrorism laws following the 2021 coup.
Since the military coup on February 1, 2021, the junta has killed 7 journalists and arrested 177. As of now, 53 journalists remain in detention.
The IMJA strongly urges the junta to immediately halt its persecution of journalists, stop the targeted arrests, and release all detained journalists without any conditions.
The IMJA firmly condemns these long-term prison sentences imposed on journalists and will document this as a serious crime against the media.
The IMJA calls upon the international community, including the United Nations, to take effective actions against the junta’s continued persecution, arrests, and imprisonment of journalists.
