White House hails 'principles' of free press in praising release of Reuters reporters in Myanmar

The Washinton Times
By Tom Howell Jr. - 
The Washington Times - 
Tuesday, May 7, 2019 
 
Arrests sparked outcry, served as key test for a free press

Reuters reporters Wa Lone, center right, and Kyaw Soe Oo hold their children after being freed from prison, in Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, May 7, 2019. The two journalists who were imprisoned for breaking Myanmar’s Official Secrets Act over reporting on ... more >

The White House hailed the release Tuesday of two Reuters journalists who spent over 500 days in a Myanmar prison after reporting on atrocities against Rohingya Muslims.

Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, had been sentenced to seven years in prison but received pardons under a sweeping presidential amnesty around the traditional New Year, which began in April.

Myanmar grants jailed Reuters journalists amnesty

Mail and Guardian
 07 May 2019

Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo gesture as they walk to Insein prison gate after being freed, after receiving a presidential pardon in Yangon, Myanmar. (Ann Wang/Reuters)

Two Reuters journalists who had been jailed for their reporting on the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar walked out of prison on Tuesday, freed in a presidential amnesty after a global campaign for their release.

Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were mobbed by media as they stepped out of Yangon’s notorious Insein prison after their lengthy detention.

Military Releases 126 Detainees in N. Rakhine

The Irrawaddy
By The Irrawaddy
3 May 2019

Military spokesman Brig-Gen. Zaw Min Tun attends the ‘four pillars’ meeting in Naypyitaw on April 30. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy

The Myanmar military, or Tatmadaw, on Friday said they have released 126 innocent civilians out of 275 villagers from Rathedaung Township in northern Rakhine State whom they have held in detention for three days on suspicion of having ties with the Arakan Army (AA). The military also reiterated that it would take action against those who they claim are either AA members or have affiliations with the group.

Saudi Arabia release 'hundreds' of Rohingya held in detention for years

Middle East Eye 

By Areeb Ullah
Published date: 11 March 2019  

While Rohingyas who arrived before 2011 or were born in the kingdom go free, hundreds still languish in prison, say detainees and activist-

Detainees say Saudi Arabia released Rohingya who weren't registered with a foreign passport (Screengrab)

Saudi Arabia has released hundreds of stateless Rohingya detained in the kingdom for years after they were caught up in Saudi immigration crackdowns against undocumented workers, two detainees and an activist tell Middle East Eye.