Two Reuters journalists who were jailed for their reporting on atrocities committed against Rohingya Muslims in northern Rakhine state were awarded a Pulitzer Prize yesterday (April 15).
Reporters Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, were recognized for revealing the massacre of 10 Rohingya at Inn Din village. But their colleagues finished the investigative report after the men were arrested while probing the extrajudicial killing.
They were accused of possessing classified documents relating to security operations in the troubled state and sentenced to seven years under the Official Secrets Act in Insein prison in September.
Rights groups and legal experts say the case was riddled with irregularities and their imprisonment and subsequent conviction was punishment for investigating the massacre.
"I'm thrilled that Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo and their colleagues have been recognized for their extraordinary, courageous coverage, and our photojournalists for their moving pictures that show humanity defying huge obstacles," said Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler in a statement.
"I remain deeply distressed, however, that our brave reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are still behind bars just for reporting the truth.”
Supreme Court judges in the capital Naypyidaw are currently considering an appeal against the conviction. The reporters’ defense team expected the court to reach a decision towards the end of this month.
If the appeal fails, there are two more chances—both at the Supreme Court—once before a panel of two judges and then a full bench appeal, a process that would take several months.
