The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists on Feb. 16 called for the Burmese military government to investigate the killing of journalist Myat Thu Tan and prosecute the perpetrators. The journalist’s remains were reportedly found buried in a bomb shelter at a military camp in the town of Mrauk-U in Rakhine state. The body, bearing signs of torture, was discovered along with those of six other political detainees after the camp was overrun Feb. 5 by the insurgent Arakan Army. It was determined that he had been shot and killed on Jan. 31.
Since September 2022, the Burmese authorities had held Myat Thu Tan in pre-trial detention. At the time of his death, he had not been tried or convicted of any offense. Authorities charged that he disseminated “defamatory material” on social media, in violation of Section 505(a) of the Burmese Penal Code. According to Human Rights Watch, the offense is used “to target those speaking critically of the military” following the coup of February 2021.
Myat Thu Tan had reported for Democratic Voice of Burma, an independent news source advocating for reform and human rights.
“A culture of impunity has taken deep root in Myanmar [Burma] since the 2021 democracy-suspending coup. The junta must stop killing, and start protecting, journalists,” said Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s senior Southeast Asia representative.
From Jurist, Feb. 18. Use with permission.
Map: PCL
