PEC
Geneva, 1 January 2022: Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), the global mediasafety and rights body, wishes all media workers around the world ahappy, secured and prosperous new year. The bygone year witnessed thekilling of 79 media employees by assailants in 29 countries marking animprovement in journo-murder index by 14% (where 92 were killed in2020).
PEC has lately confirmed the death of Burmese journalist A Kay Sai(also known as Sai Win Aung) because of serious head injuries by theshell operated by the Myanmar military junta at Maekheewar village ofKaren State on 25 December last. Sai (38) was trapped in crossfirebetween the junta forces and KNLA rebels and finally hit by artilleryfrom Tatmadaw.
“We strongly condemn the killing of journalists by the Burmesemilitary personnel. Prior to him, Yangon-based freelancephotojournalist Ko Soe Naing died under military custody on 14December. PEC condolences their demise and urges the military dictatorMin Aung Hlaing to deliver justice to the bereaved families,” saidBlaise Lempen, secretary-general of PEC.Myanmar (also known as Burma or Brahmadesh) is witnessing a series ofunpleasant incidents since 1 February 2021 military coup that deposedthe democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi-led government inNaypietaw, where the media fraternity also faces unprecedentedatrocities. The military personnel detained nearly 125 journalists inthe last 11 months and nearly 30 are still behind bars.Afghanistan emerged as the most dangerous country for journalists with12 casualties in 2021, followed by Mexico (10 dead), Pakistan (7),India (6), the Philippines, Yemen (4 each), Democratic Republic ofCongo (3), Myanmar, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Kenya, Nigeria,Somalia, Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Burkina-Faso, Turkey (2 each), etc.
“India has otherwise lost a huge number of scribes to Covid-19complications since March 2020, only following Brazil (294corona-media casualties). India (279) is followed by Peru (198),Mexico (122), Colombia (79), Bangladesh (68), USA (66), Italy (60),Venezuela (59), Argentina (46), Indonesia (42), Iran (34), UnitedKingdom (33), Turkey (29), Pakistan (27), Nepal (23) etc,” said NavaThakuria, PEC’s Asia representative.