Crackdown on Freedom of Expression Condemned

By MIN LWIN

The World Association of Newspapers condemned the crackdown on freedom of expression in Burma, in a press statement released on Monday.

The free press organization, based in France, called on the Burmese military ruling council to end its repressive policies and stop jailing journalists and free speech advocates.

The organization also called on Burma’s partner nations in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to abandon their policy of non-interference and bring pressure on Burma’s rulers to adopt international norms of free expression.

The group cited the recent increase in unfair trials of journalists and free speech activists, followed by lengthy prison sentences meant to deter freedom of expression.

A Rangoon-based magazine editor said that the military authorities are seeking to intimidate local journalists prior to the 2010 general elections.

“It is the clear message to the journalists,” he told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday. “If someone writes critically of the upcoming election, they will be punished with long prison terms.”

In November, the military government has sentenced at least 14 journalists, writers and others exercising free speech, including a prominent comedian and actor, Zarganar, who received 59 years; blogger Nay Phone Latt, who received 20 years and 6 months; and Ein Khaing Oo, a female journalist, who received two years.

According to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma, 44 people who are either journalists or citizens involved in freedom of expression are now jailed in prisons across the country.

The report said that military authorities have targeted exiled online media Web sites, such as Mizzima and The Irrawaddy, which are essential sources for journalists and others interested in Burma, through Internet virus and other electronic attacks.

The Web site of The Irrawaddy was attacked in September by a “distributed-denial-of-service,” or DDoS attack, which created a traffic jam at the entry port to its Web site, knocking out normal service for several days.