Burma: Profiles of Imprisoned Journalists

Profiles of imprisoned journalists in BurmaWritten by Mizzima News Monday, 23 May 2011 17:49 - Last Updated Monday, 23 May 2011 19:05 As of May 23, 2011, there are 21 Burmese journalists in the country’s prisons. The following list contains a brief biography and the cases on which they were convicted: 1.  Ngwe Soe Lwin Age: 29 Occupation: Reporter Organization: Norway based Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) Prison term: 13 years Convicted under: section 33(a) of Electronics Law Act, section 13(1) of Immigration Emergency Provisions Act Date of sentence: June 27, 2009 Current prison: Lashio, Shan State Address: South Dagon Township, Rangoon Case: Video reporter covered orphans of Cyclone Nargis victims. He was awarded the Rory Peck Award for video journalists. His brother, Aung Tun Myint, was also arrested and imprisoned for taking photographs of the 2008 Constitution referendum held in Hmawbi, Rangoon Division. He was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment in an immigration case. He is now serving his prison term in Sittwe prison, Rakhine State. 2. Zeya, aka. Thargyi Zeya Age: 60 Occupation: Writer Organization: None 1 / 13 Profiles of imprisoned journalists in Burma Written by Mizzima News Monday, 23 May 2011 17:49 - Last Updated Monday, 23 May 2011 19:05 Prison term: 13 years Convicted under: section 17(1) of Unlawful Associations Act, section 13(1) of Immigration Emergency Provisions Act, section 33(1) of Electronics Law Act. Case: He was arrested in connection with the explosion of three hand grenades in front of the X2O water festival pavillion at the Rangoon Water Festival on April 15, 2010. Current prison: Hsipaw, Shan State Address: Bahan, Rangoon 3. Sithu Zeya Age: 20-plus Occupation: photo journalist Organization: DVB news Prison term: 8 years (other cases pending) Sections under which given prison term: section 17(1) of Unlawful Associations Act, section 13(1) of Immigration Emergency Provisions Act Date of Sentence: April 21, 2010 Case: He was arrested for taking photographs at the X2O water festival pavillion when three hand grenades exploded on April 15, 2010. Current prison: Insein, Rangoon Address: Bahan, Rangoon 4. Win Maw Age: 40-plus 2 / 13 Profiles of imprisoned journalists in Burma Written by Mizzima News Monday, 23 May 2011 17:49 - Last Updated Monday, 23 May 2011 19:05 Occupation: musician, reporter Organization: DVB Prison term: 17 years Sections under which given prison term: section 505(b) of Penal Code, section 13(1) of Immigration Emergency Provisions Act, section 33(a) of Electronics Law Act Date of sentence: November 27, 2007 Current prison: Kyaukpyu, Rakhine State Address: Sanchaung, Rangoon Case: The Shwe Thanzin music band conductor from Taungoo Win Maw was arrested for recording a song written in honour of Aung San Suu Kyi on her birthday and also accused of having contact with exile news agency DVB. 5. Hla Hla Win Age: unknown Occupation: Reporter Organization: DVB news Prison term: 27 years Sections under which given prison term: section 33(a) of Electronics Law Act, section 13(1) of Immigration Emergency Provisions Act, section 17(1) of Unlawful Associations Act Date of Sentence: December 31, 2009 Current prison: Myitkyina, Kachin State Address: Minglataungnyunt, Rangoon Case: She was arrested along with her host Myint Naing after interviewing monks at Pakokku Wipulla Rama Pali Monastery (West) in Magwe Division on September 11, 2009. 3 / 13 Profiles of imprisoned journalists in Burma Written by Mizzima News Monday, 23 May 2011 17:49 - Last Updated Monday, 23 May 2011 19:05 6. Zaw Thet Htwe Age: 43 Occupation: Reporter Organization: Sports columnist Prison term: 11 years Sections under which prison term was given: section 505(b) and 295(a) of Penal Code, sections 33(a) and 38 of Electronics Law Act Date of arrest: June 13, 2008 Date of sentence: November 21, 2008 Current prison: Taunggyi prison, Shan State Address: Bahan Township, Rangoon Case: Zaw Thet Htwe was arrested for helping victims of Cyclone Nargis which hit Irrawaddy Division in May 2008. Zaw Thet Htwe was arrested while on his way to his ailing mother’s residence in Minbu after doing relief work for the Cyclone Nargis victims in the Irrawaddy delta region in June 2008. He was also previously arrested while he was leading his ‘First Eleven’ journal on November 28, 2003, and charged with sending news of  forced labour to the International Labour Organization and sentenced to the death penalty. But he was released by a High Court order after two years following pressure from the ILO. Earlier, he was arrested for covering corruption in the Burmese sports community and given imprisonment. His prison term was later commuted to three years and he was finally released. 7.  Zargana, aka Thura Age: 50 Occupation: comedian, film director, blogger 4 / 13 Profiles of imprisoned journalists in Burma Written by Mizzima News Monday, 23 May 2011 17:49 - Last Updated Monday, 23 May 2011 19:05 Ornganization: none Prison Sentence: 35 years Sections under which prison term was given: section 505(b) and 295(a) of Penal Code, section 33(a) of Electronics Law Act Date of arrest: September 25, 2008 Date of sentence: November 21, 2008 Current prison: Myitkyina, Kachin State Address: Yankin Township, Rangoon Case: He was arrested while he was helping Cyclone Nargis victims in Irrawaddy Division in May 2008 and sentenced to total of 59 years. His sentence was later commuted by 24 years. He told jokes about the authorities and was arrested and questioned frequently for his performances. He was also arrested for 21 days for offering alms to protesting monks in 2007 during the September Saffron Revolution. He was awarded the ‘Bremen Solidarity Award’ given by the Mayor of Bremen, Germany, on February 15, 2011. The award is given biennially to those who are fighting for freedom and human rights. Zargana also received the One Humanity Award for 2008 by the Canada-based PEN (Canada), the Lillian Hellman and Dashiel Hammett Award by New York-based Human Rights Watch, and Art Venture’s Freedom to Create by London-based Art Venture. He was shortlisted for the ‘Citizen of Burma Award’ for this year. This award is given by exiled Burmese in US to those who devoted their lives to charity and social work. 8. Thant Zin Aung Occupation: photo journalist Prison sentence: 10 years Sections under which given prison sentence: 32(b) and 36 of Video Law, 33(a) and 38 of Electronics Law Act Date of arrest: June 13, 2008 5 / 13 Profiles of imprisoned journalists in Burma Written by Mizzima News Monday, 23 May 2011 17:49 - Last Updated Monday, 23 May 2011 19:05 Date of sentence: November 21, 2008 Current prison: Hpa-an, Kayin State Address: Rangoon Case: He was arrested along with Zargana by Military Affairs while on his way back to Rangoon after burying Cyclone Nargis victims in Bogale Township, Irrawaddy Division, in May 2008. 9. Nay Phone Latt, aka Nay Myo Kyaw Age: 31 Occupation: blogger Organization: National League for Democracy (NLD), in-charge (2) of Thingangyun youth branch. Prison sentence: 12 and half years (first sentenced to 20 years later commuted by eight years) Sections under which prison term was given: instigating and disrupting public order and State security section 505(b) of Penal Code, section 32(b) and 36 of Video Law, section 33(a) and 38 of Electronics Law Act. Date of arrest: January 29, 2008 Date of sentence: November 10, 2008 Current prison: Hpa-an, Kayin State Address: Thingangyun Township, Rangoon Nay Phone Latt is a member of the NLD (Youth) and he ran a ‘Link to World’ Internet café in Thingangyun Township. He is popular among Burmese youths as a blogger. Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) awarded Zargana and Nay Phone Latt  cyber warfare prizes for their contribution in disseminating uncensored news to the outside world during the Saffron Revolution and post-Cyclone Nargis. 10. Lu Tin Win 6 / 13 Profiles of imprisoned journalists in Burma Written by Mizzima News Monday, 23 May 2011 17:49 - Last Updated Monday, 23 May 2011 19:05 Age: about 44 Occupation: Poet, writer. He is also a former political prisoner. Organization: 88-Generation Students and Youths Convicted under: causing a threat to the State, section 505(b) of Penal Code, instigating unlawful assembly under sections 145 and 147 of Penal Code. Date of arrest: September 29, 2007 Date of sentence: September 18, 2007 Current prison: Magway prison, Magway Division Address: South Dagon Township, Rangoon Case: He was arrested on September 29, 2007, by security forces in Rangoon after the authorities found a booklet entitled ‘Stand and Opinion of 88-Generation’ on his body. He was similarly arrested on a political charge in 1998 and served nine years in Thayarwady Prison, Bago Division. He was released in early 2007. 11. Lay Lay Mon, aka Phu Ngone Age: about 40 Occupation: Writer Organization: Teens magazine Date of arrest: late 2007 Date of sentence: November 28, 2008 Sentence: 6 years imprisonment Current prison: Shwebo prison, Sagaing Division 7 / 13 Profiles of imprisoned journalists in Burma Written by Mizzima News Monday, 23 May 2011 17:49 - Last Updated Monday, 23 May 2011 19:05 Address: South Dagon, Rangoon Case: He was arrested during a protest demonstration against the sudden and drastic fuel price hike in 2007. 12. Min Han Age: unknown Occupation: Poet Organization: 88-Generation Student Sentence: 11 years imprisonment Convicted under: section 4 of Law No. 5/96 (Law of Protecting National Convention from opposing and disrupting, section 505(b) of Penal Code, agitating an offence against public tranquility and state security. Date of arrest: January 3, 2008 Date of Sentence: November 13, 2008 Current prison: Lashio Prison, Shan State Address: North Okkalapa Township, Rangoon Poet Min Han gave assistance to the 88-Generation Student Group and the All Burma Federation of Student Union (ABFSU) during the 2007 September Saffron Revolution. He also led the Poets’ Union. 13. Nyi Nyi Tun, aka Mee Doke Age: 48 Occupation: Editor-in-charge of Kandaryawaddy News Journal Organization: Poet 8 / 13 Profiles of imprisoned journalists in Burma Written by Mizzima News Monday, 23 May 2011 17:49 - Last Updated Monday, 23 May 2011 19:05 Prison sentence: 13 years Sections under which prison term was given: Having contact with unlawful associations under section 17(1) of Unlawful Associations Act, section 13(1) of Immigration Emergency Provisions Act, section 505(b) of Penal Code and section 6(1) of Wireless and Telegraph Act. Date of arrest: October 14, 2009 Date of sentence: October 13, 2010 Current prison: Insein prison Address: South Okkalapa Township, Rangoon Case: He conveyed a message saying, ‘Comrades, the military regime sentenced me to 13 years imprisonment for bridging people and politics, Signed by Mee Doke (editor)’ at the court on the day he was sentenced by the court. He also told his family on the same day at the court that he was tortured during interrogation. He was arrested after the October 2009 bomb blasts in Mingaladon, Shwepyitha, Hlainthayar townships, Rangoon Division by Rangoon Division Police Force Intelligence branch (Politics) in Thingangyun, Rangoon. He was the editor-in-charge of the legal publication ‘Kandayawaddy News Journal published in 2007 in Kayah State Special region. This journal was closed after his arrest. 14. Sein Win Maung, aka Win Swe Age: about 50 Occupation: Administrator (Manager), Myanmar Nation Journal office Organization: Myanmar Nation Journal Prison sentence: 7 years Under sections: section 17/20 of Printing Act Date of arrest: February 15, 2008 Date of sentence: November 28, 2008 9 / 13 Profiles of imprisoned journalists in Burma Written by Mizzima News Monday, 23 May 2011 17:49 - Last Updated Monday, 23 May 2011 19:05 Current prison: Kengtung Prison, Shan State Address: Kayan, Thongwa Township, Rangoon Case: Authorities found a Human Rights Report by UN Special rapporteur on human rights, a book entitled ‘Let’s build unbreakable union’ by Shan leader Shwe Ohn, and a documentary video CD of protesting monks demonstrating in the Saffron Revolution in September 2007 when the Myanmar Nation Journal office was searched by Military Affairs Security (MAS). The authorities took Myanmar Nation journal office administrator Sein Win Maung and chief editor Thet Zin for questioning. Thet Zin was released in September 2009 by pardon granted by the authorities. 15. Zaw Tun Oo, aka Win Oo Age: 36 Occupation: Freelance reporter Organization: The News Watch Prison sentence: 2 years Convicted under: disrupting discharge of duty by a public servant (police) Date of arrest: September 2008 Date of sentence: June 18, 2009 Current Prison: Insein Address: North Dagon satellite town, Rangoon Case: First, he was arrested by security forces near Aung San Suu Kyi’s residence in September 2008 and released on bail. Then he was imprisoned for disrupting the discharge of duty by a public servant while facing trial. He resigned from Rangoon-based The News Watch weekly journal in early 2009 and worked as freelance journalist. 16. Zeya Oo 10 / 13 Profiles of imprisoned journalists in Burma Written by Mizzima News Monday, 23 May 2011 17:49 - Last Updated Monday, 23 May 2011 19:05 Age: about 30 Occupation: Reporter Organization: 2007 ABFSU Imprisonment: 7 years Convicted under: causing an offence against public tranquility and State security, section 505(b) of Penal Code. Date of arrest: March 23, 2009 Case: Distributing pamphlets with 88-Generation Students calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. Current prison: Sittwe Prison, Rakhine Address: South Dagon Township, Rangoon 17. Myat Tun Occupation: Reporter Organization: Narinjara News agency Imprisonment: 5 years Convicted under: section 13(1) of Immigration Emergency Provisions Act, illegal border crossing Date of sentence: May 1, 2009 Current prison: Pauktaw Township, Thawunchaung village, Rakhine State Case: Military Affairs Security (MAS) arrested Myat Tun (a retired police officer) in front of the Buthidaung based No. 2 Strategic Command HQ while he was on his way back home from Bangladesh and accused him of sending news to exiled news agencies. 18. Thar Tun 11 / 13 Profiles of imprisoned journalists in Burma Written by Mizzima News Monday, 23 May 2011 17:49 - Last Updated Monday, 23 May 2011 19:05 Age: unknown Occupation: Reporter Organization: Narinjara News Imprisonment: 5 years Convicted under: illegal border crossing, section 13(1) of the Immigration Emergency Provisions Act Date of sentence: February 2009 Current prison: Buthidaung Prison Address: Sittwe, Rakhine Case: He was accused of contacting Bangladesh-based Narinjara News agency and was sentenced to five years imprisonment for illegal border crossing, according to Narinjara News. 19. Hla Soe Occupation: Writer, former political prisoner Organization: National League for Democracy Imprisonment: 17 years Convicted under: 5(j), 5(a) and 6(a) Date of sentence: December 21, 2003 Current prison: Mandalay Prison Address: Amrapura, Mandalay 20. Thaung Win Bo 12 / 13 Profiles of imprisoned journalists in Burma Written by Mizzima News Monday, 23 May 2011 17:49 - Last Updated Monday, 23 May 2011 19:05 Age: 65 years Occupation: Senior photo journalist Organization: New Light of Myanmar (English) Imprisonment: 3 years Convicted under: 17(1) of Unlawful Associations Act Date of arrest: June 8, 2008 Date of sentence: November 2008 Current prison: Insein Prison Address: South Dagon, Rangoon Case: Sending news to his daughter, VOA reporter Aye Aye Mar. His family members said that he wrote travelogues as a journalist and had no political involvement before. 21. Nyan Lin Aung Occupation: Editor Organization: Beauty Magazine (editor) Date of arrest: 2009 Case: A veteran journalist in Rangoon said that he was arrested and charged with having contact with the ABFSU and Generation Wave (GW) group during the Saffron Revolution in 2007. He is currently facing trial in Insein prison. 13 / 13