BURMA: Mizzima’s Correspondent Released

Burma’s government has strict rules about censorship. In the past, Burma has been notorious for arresting and punishing journalists. Many journalists have been punished and sent to prison for any given amount of years. Mizzima journalist, Nem Davies writes about a Mizzima journalist who was just released from prison after a year and four month sentence in Kolkata city. The journalist’s name was Kyaw Moe and was charged under the Foreigners Act and was deported to Bangladesh. He was under an alias name and was arrested while at a training session in India. He was charged with illegally crossing the border and was originally sentenced to 250 days in jail. The Solidarity Committee for Burma’s Freedom Fighters, which is an organization that helps oppressed journalists, decided to work with Moe’s case and help him appeal his sentence. Unfortunately, his bail was turned down and had to remain in prison. If sent to Burma, there would be threats of severe punishment. Fortunately, the West Bengal government decided not to send him back to Burma. He was separated from his family for a year and is very happy to be back.
This proves the censorship in Burma is taken very seriously and punishment can be very severe. Activists and journalists are in danger every day of getting in trouble and rights like freedom of speech and other stop that the United States and other countries take for granted doesn’t exist.

-Sarah Greenert