Wife of slain journalist rejects MNHRC report
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Ma Thandar, the wife of freelance reporter Ko Par Gyi, who was killed by army, has demanded an independent investigation into her husband's death, claiming the findings of the report published by the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) were f
On Wednesday, she sent a letter containing 19 points to the President, the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services, the Chairman of the MNHRC, the Lower House Speaker, the Upper House Speaker, as well as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is a chairperson of the Rule of Law and Tranquility Committee in the parliament.
In her letter, Ma Thandar demanded the formation of an investigation team consisting of experts from local civic organisations and international human rights commissions to inquire again into her husband's death.
“The MNHRC report stated inexact and incorrect data. My husband faced human rights abuses. He was arrested in a downtown area and brought to a battle zone without the permission of a judge and was detained for over 24-hours. That’s why I requested a free and fair investigation again,” said Ma Thandar.
The MNHRC report was released on December 2. It suggested that the case of Par Gyi's death should be brought to the rural court and that files on Par Gyi should be opened in accordance with the law.
The reported also said Ko Par Gyi was a member of the Democratic Kayen Buddhist Association and a member of the Klohtoobaw Karen Organization. Moreover, the report controversially claimed that it was difficult to determine whether Par Gyi was actually a journalist.
His killing was revealed only after his wife filed a police complaint. On October 19, she sent a complaint to Kyaikaraw Township Police Station in Mon State on October 19 saying her husband had been missing since September 30.
The military released a statement on October 23, confirming the death and saying Par Gyi was shot on October 4 after seizing a weapon from a soldier in an attempt to escape.
According to the army’s report, Par Gyi had been buried about 800 metres from the southern part of Shwewarchaung village. His body conveyed to Yangon in November.
Despite reforms, the jailing of several journalists this year has raised fears that Myanmar could be backsliding on press freedom.
