(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is deeply worried about the allegations of killing, torture and detention of several media workers and journalists of “Kye Mon” (The Mirror), a state owned newspaper. According to the allegations, on 25 September 1999, in Rangoon, “Kye Mon” was raided by security forces after the newspaper published a picture of General Khin […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is deeply worried about the allegations of killing, torture
and detention of several media workers and journalists of “Kye Mon” (The
Mirror), a state owned newspaper.
According to the allegations, on 25 September 1999, in Rangoon, “Kye Mon”
was raided by security forces after the newspaper published a picture of
General Khin Nyunt, just above a report headlined “The world famous crook”.
A few hours later, policemen arrested at least twenty staff members,
journalists and employers, and interrogated them at a Rangoon police
station. On 27 September, a “Kye Mon” layout artist’s family learnt from
security forces that their relative died at the hands of police. Seven
workers of the newspaper are reportedly still detained.
RSF has asked General Than Shwe to make a public statement about these
allegations. The only declaration made by an official, reported by Agence
France Presse (AFP) on 12 October, denied the allegations. According to the
official, the general’s picture had appeared over the story due to a layout
error, and no media workers had been killed, arrested or beaten. However,
military junta offered no evidence of this, and other informed sources have
confirmed in recent days that violence was committed against “Kye Mon”
staff.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the general:
repression of media workers, if the allegations prove to be true, and
calling for the perpetrators of the violence to be identified and punished
Tin, Ohn Kyaing, Sein Hlaing, Myo Myint Nyein, Sein Hla Oo, Sans San Nweh
and Khin Maung Win
were
merely exercising their right to inform, as guaranteed by Article 19 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Appeals To
His Excellency General Than Shwe
President State Law and Order Restoration Council
c/o Embassy in France
60, rue de Courcelles
75008 Paris, France
Fax: + 33 1 42 56 49 41
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
