A young blogger, Win Zaw Naing, is facing a possible 15-year jail sentence for posting pictures and reports about the September 2007 protests.
(RSF/IFEX) – A young blogger, Win Zaw Naing, is facing a possible 15-year jail sentence just for posting pictures and reports about the September 2007 protests, known as the Saffron Revolution. Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association call for his release and the release of all the other detained bloggers.
“The international community is so absorbed by diplomatic strategies aimed at resolving the Burmese crisis that it seems to be neglecting the fact that the military government is continuing its repression and is still arresting journalists, bloggers and human rights activists,” the two organisations said.
“The release of prisoners of conscience should continue to be a major priority for the international community,” Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association added. “Without the freedom to inform others, next year’s elections will be neither free nor fair.”
Win Zaw Naing, 24, has been held for the past several weeks by police in the Rangoon district of Kyauktada, where he has not been allowed to see a lawyer. He was arrested under article 33 (A) of the Electronic Act, which provides for sentences of up to 15 years in prison.
Sources have told the organisations that he was arrested for posting photos of the September 2007 protests on his blog ( http://shwenyarthar.co.cc/ ). The photos showed protesters, including Buddhist monks. The blog is still accessible but the police ordered the withdrawal of the photos and certain articles.
A resident of Hlaing Tharyar district, Win Zaw Naing works as a typist at a Rangoon publishing house.
Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association have confirmed that four journalists were recently arrested. They are Paing Soe Oo, a freelancer known by the pen-name of Jay Paing; Thant Zin Soe, who works for “Foreign Affairs Journal”; Nyi Nyi Htun, a freelancer known by the pen-name of Mee-doke; and Khant Min Htet, a poet and graphic designer.
