Pulitzer Award winning Myanmar Journalist's story of reporting crimes against victims of Rohingya

Written by Lexie Joo, Grade 11

On April 22nd, Pacific daylight time, Myanmar Journalist Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, lost the final appeal in Myanmar. They were arrested in December 2017 while working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim and boys.

Lawyers and reporters had appealed to the court citing lack of proof of a crime and evidence.

Earlier in April, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo shared the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting, one of journalism’s highest honours.

Even though Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo did not commit any crime, nor was there proof that they did, they were sentenced to 7 years in prison.

Wa Lone was reported telling a group of reporters and his family and friends in 2018, September not to worry. “We know we did nothing wrong,” he said, addressing reporters outside the courtroom. “I have no fear. I believe in justice, democracy and freedom.”

However, on May 7th,

President Win Myint has pardoned thousands of other prisoners in mass amnesties since last month, including Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe.

It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners across the country around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17.

Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release.

Swamped by media and well-wishers as they walked through the gates of Insein Prison, a grinning Wa Lone gave a thumbs up and said he was grateful for the international efforts to secure their freedom.

"I'm really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues. I can't wait to go to my newsroom," he said.

Kyaw Soe Oo smiled and waved to reporters.

Bibliography

Imprisoned Myanmar journalists awarded Pulitzer Prize

https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/16/asia/myanmar-journalists-pulitzer-intl/index.html

Myanmar Releases Pulitzer Prize-Winning Reuters Journalists

https://www.kpbs.org/news/2019/may/07/myanmar-releases-pulitzer-prize-winning-reuters/

Jailed Reuters journalists honoured with Pulitzer Prize

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/04/jailed-reuters-journalists-honoured-pulitzer-prize-190416052621870.html

Myanmar top court rejects Reuters journalists' appeal

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48019192

Myanmar judge rejects request for dismissal of case against two jailed Reuters reporters

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-journalists/myanmar-judge-rejects-request-for-dismissal-of-case-against-two-jailed-reuters-reporters-idUSKBN1HI0FH