71 journalists arrested in Myanmar since February: United Nations
Raising deep concerns over the arrest, Dujarric said that the plight of journalists and the thousands of others in Myanmar goes against the humanitarian ways of detention.
NEW YORK:
At least 71 journalists have been arrested by Myanmar authorities since the military coup d'état in February, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday.
"From Myanmar, our colleagues at the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) say that 71 journalists have been arrested, with more than half of them still detained since the beginning of February," Dujarric said.
Dujarric also said that some 24 people were charged for allegedly spreading fake news.
Raising deep concerns over the arrest, Dujarric said that the plight of journalists and the thousands of others in Myanmar goes against the humanitarian ways of detention.
He also showed distress over the arbitrary arrest and use of force against children.
"The ongoing repression of protests in Myanmar could spark a 'full-blown conflict' on a par with Syria," he said.
(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)
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