AMWJU urges
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 15 2021: Amid the political turmoil in Myanmar after the February 1 military coup, the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) has asked the State Government to extend all possible assistance to three Mizzima journalists who are taking shelter in Moreh after fleeing the country.

In a statement today, AMWJU said it is extremely concerned with the unfortunate developments in Myanmar and as a journalist body, it is alarmed by the fate of media and media persons in the country at present.

Even though the Ministry of Home (North East Division), New Delhi has instructed all States bordering Myanmar not to allow illegal migrants to enter India, the Mizzima journalists at Moreh are obviously refugees seeking asylum within India due to persecution in their own country.

The Government of Manipur should make necessary concessions to allow the journalists to come to Imphal and provide them safe passage to Delhi for seeking the protection of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) .

The three Mizzima journalists in Moreh are living in fear that they may be pushed back to Myanmar where their lives and security would be in great danger.

They are also fearful of harassment by the Indian security establishment.

As such, the Government of Manipur should give them the respect that journalists are accorded anywhere in the world, said AMWJU.

It noted that after the February military coup, the military had taken away the license of Mizzima, raided its office in Yangon and arrested several of its journalists besides freezing their bank account.

AMWJU further maintained that the Mizzima is an independent media organisation in Myanmar.

It is India friendly and in 2018, the Mizzima had signed an agreement with the Prasar Bharati for content sharing.

This was the first time Prasar Bharati had signed an agreement with a private media house.

In June 2020, the Mizzima had promoted a musical event featuring music from all parts of North-East India led by Guru Rewben Mashangva, and the Manipur Government had also supported them.

Many leaders of the National League for Democracy including Nobel peace prize winner and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi were arrested and slapped several charges including a charge for flouting COVID-19 guidelines.

Hundreds of pro democracy protesters including children have been killed by the military aftermath of the coup.

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