Amnesty International Calls on Myanmar Junta to Drop Charges Against Detained Journalists

Amnesty International is calling on Myanmar’s military junta to immediately drop all charges against journalists who have been detained since the February 1 coup.

The human rights organization said Thursday the “ongoing persecution, intimidation, harassment and violence” that journalists are facing is a clear attempt by military authorities “to suppress peaceful dissent and obscure violations committed by security forces.” Amnesty’s demand includes all journalists in pre-trial detention, bail, or those with outstanding warrants “solely for carrying out their work and the peaceful exercise of their human rights.” Myanmar’s military has said that authorities arrest only journalists inciting unrest.