Mizzima awarded global JTI certificate for reliable news on Myanmar

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Mizzima Mizzima, one of Myanmar ’s most prominent news outlets and a press freedom advocate, obtained the Journalism Trust Initiative ( JTI ) certification from global audit firm Bureau Veritas , JTI says in a press statement 5 January.  Operating in clandestine mode within Myanmar and supported by an exiled team, Mizzima strives to fulfil its role as reliable source of news and information for the Myanmar public. “Your Journalism Trust Initiative certification affirms what audiences already know: that principled, transparent journalism matters. Congratulations on this achievement and on your continued contribution to informing citizens about Myanmar,” says Benjamin Sabbah , director of Journalism Trust Initiative “Myanmar’s ongoing conflict has created an intensely contested media landscape, where mis- and disinformation are increasingly deployed to reinforce state propaganda and the prevailing “official” narrative. Although Mizzima is already regarded as one of the most trusted ...
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Activists demand justice for copper mine attacks

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Friday, 15 February 2013 13:35 Mizzima News

A group of lawyers and activists have demanded punishment for the officials who were responsible for the use of incendiary weapons against peaceful protesters at the Letpadaung copper mine on November 29.

Lawyers Network (Myanmar) and Justice Trust (USA) held a press conference on February 14 to reveal their report on the Latpadaung copper mine incident of November 29. In this picture, Roger Norman, of Justice Trust, speaks at the press conference. PHOTO: Bo: Bo Bo / Mizzima

The Irrawaddy reported on February 14 that an unofficial investigation conducted by the Lawyers Network (Myanmar) and Justice Trust (USA) had found that police had used excessive force, “including military-issue white phosphorus weapons,” against protesting monks and civilians.

“The use of inherently dangerous military arms to disperse peaceful protesters, apparently by local police during a standard law enforcement procedure, is clearly unlawful and raises issues of liability for those directly involved and for senior responsible levels of command and control in the military and government and for senior executives/military officers at Wan Bao and UMEHL,” said the report, according to AP.

The Burmese government initially claimed that tear gas and smoke bombs were launched by security forces at the protesters at the copper mine in Sagaing region. However, Dr. Chatchai Pruksapong, a burn specialist caring for a wounded monk named U Tikhanyana, is reported as saying that his injuries were not caused by tear gas, but that the monk was seared by something “severely flammable.”

White phosphorus is frequently employed in warfare—either as a smoke screen or as an incendiary weapon. However, it is rarely if ever used by police in crowd control situations.

Used in both world wars, the Vietnam-American War, and by US-led forces in Iraq, the devastating effects of white phosphorous were most recently witnessed by global TV audiences during the Israeli assault on Gaza in 2008-09.

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was appointed chairperson of an investigation commission to determine if excessive force had been used in the incident, and to report on whether the project should proceed. The committee’s report was scheduled to be released on January 31; however, it has yet to be released.
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FOR MORE BACKGROUND:

  1. White phosphorous used on Latpadaung protesters, say lawyers
  2. 80 injured in Monywa crackdown


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