Snuffing the Flame of Journalism

Wa Lone (Left) and Kyaw Soe Oo (Right)

In Myanmar, a country that lies north-west of Thailand, two reporters were arrested last December after reporting about the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men in the state of Rakhine. After watching their grave being dug, 8 of the men were shot by Myanmar's army while 2 men were hacked to pieces by their Buddhist countrymen.

The 10 Rohingya Muslims

The reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, had been covering Myanmar's 'clearance operation', which is a result of its claims that Rohingya insurgents have carried out attacks against the government. Operations which have amounted to looting and burning villages as well as killing and raping villagers. The Myanmar military has, according to multiple interviews from Buddhist villagers, "organized Buddhist residents of Inn Din and at least two other villages to torch Rohingya homes" The two reporters have uncovered what the United Nations is calling genocide and several lawmen are currently working toward charging Myanmar's military commanders with crimes against humanity. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been detained now for nearly six months, despite efforts from U.S. and U.N. officials to have them released. Reuters' website with more detailed information found here.

Wa Lone after court hearing in April, 2018.

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