BBC 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 BBC International News and Director of BBC World Service, said:
"We are very disturbed to hear of the sentence of hard labour for Htet Htet Khine, a freelance producer for BBC 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."
BBC Media Action Chief Executive Officer, Caroline Nursey OBE, said:
“BBC 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.
“We 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.
“As an independent nongovernmental organisation, BBC 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 BBC Media Action for audiences in Myanmar.
BBC Media Action is an independent charity, separate from BBC News. While we follow the BBC’s editorial standards, our operation is distinct from the BBC’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, BBC Media Action released this statement:
Director of Programmes Richard Lace said:
“BBC 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.
“This, and other detentions of media workers in the country, runs counter to basic principles of human rights and freedom of expression.
“As 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 BBC News Online.
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Learn more about our work in Myanmar and Htet Htet Khine's work with us.