ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

Our statement on the sentencing of Htet Htet Khine

Published: 15 September 2022
Updated: 27 September 2022

ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action has today released a statement following news of a second prison sentence issued to our freelance producer, Htet Htet Khine, in Myanmar.

On 15 Sept, Htet Htet Khine was sentenced to 3 years’ hard labour; on 27 September, a court sentenced her to a further three years, with a reduction for time served. She has been in detention since August 2021.

Liliane Landor,  Senior Controller of ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ International News and Director of ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service, said:

"We are very disturbed to hear of the sentence of hard labour for Htet Htet Khine, a freelance producer for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action, in Myanmar.

"Freedom of the press is a fundamental right, and a cornerstone of any modern society. Journalism is not a crime, and we call upon Myanmar authorities to cease these unjust detentions of journalists and media workers."

 

ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action Chief Executive Officer, Caroline Nursey OBE, said:

β€œΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action is dismayed and alarmed to hear of this additional sentence for our freelance producer, Htet Htet Khine, in Myanmar. After more than a year in detention she now faces another five years of hard labour.

β€œWe remain concerned for her safety and well-being in detention, and call for the release of Htet Htet Khine and other media workers who have been unjustly detained in Myanmar.

β€œAs an independent nongovernmental organisation, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action works to support the people of Myanmar with projects focused on better health and greater social inclusion. It is critical that our staff are permitted to continue their work without interference.”

 

Htet Htet Khine was previously the presenter of the Khan Sar Kyi (Feel It) television programme produced by ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action for audiences in Myanmar.

ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action is an independent charity, separate from ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ News. While we follow the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ’s editorial standards, our operation is distinct from the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ’s Burmese language news programmes.

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Earlier this month, following the initial sentencing of Htet Htet Khine to three years of hard labour, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action released this statement:

Director of Programmes Richard Lace said:

β€œΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action is alarmed to learn of the sentencing of our freelance producer, Htet Htet Khine, in Myanmar to three years of hard labour, after being detained for over a year. We remain concerned for her safety and well-being.

β€œThis, and other detentions of media workers in the country, runs counter to basic principles of human rights and freedom of expression.

β€œAs an independent nongovernmental organisation working to support the people of Myanmar, it is critical that our staff are permitted to continue our projects in support of better health and greater social inclusion in the country."

 

Read more in ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ News Online.

a young burmese woman with long dark hair wearing a grey shirt and purple patterned skirt faces the camera, behind her is a dusty road and rows of makeshift homes and shops.
Htet Htet Khine, shown filming in an IDP camp in Kachin state in a file photo. /ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Media Action

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Learn more about our work in Myanmar and Htet Htet Khine's work with us.

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