Amnesty International Thailand has submitted 3,008 signatures and statements to the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok in support of its “Write for Rights” campaign to demand the release of photojournalist Sai Zaw Thaike, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison with hard labour for reporting on the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha.

A crowd dressed in white shirts and sarongs while holding cameras gathered in front of the embassy yesterday (8 April) to demand Sai Zaw Thaike’s release and display solidarity with those whose rights to press freedom and freedom of expression have been violated in Myanmar.

Jinwara Chuaychote, an Amnesty International Thailand campaign officer, said that, as part of the “Write for Rights” campaigns, Amnesty collected 3,008 petition signatures, postcards, and letters demanding that Myanmar authorities release Sai Zaw Thaike.

She noted that freedom of information is protected under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and added that the physical abuse and lack of proper legal procedure in Sai Zaw Thaike’s case go against international law and human rights standard.

“When reporting the truth becomes a crime, the question now is how we can best keep press freedom and who will dare to report for the benefit of the public. Amnesty insists that journalism is not a crime, and stands by those with the courage to tell the truth because it is everyone’s right,” she said.

After Cyclone Mocha hit Myanmar in May 2023, Sai Zaw Thaike travelled undercover to the Rakhine State to report on its aftermath. After a week, he was arrested, interrogated, and beaten. In September 2023, a military tribunal sentenced him to 20 years in prison with hard labour for sedition following a one-day trial.

According to Amnesty International Thailand, the case raises concerns about arbitrary detention, the right to a fair trial, torture and inhumane treatment. It argues that Sai Zaw Thaike’s detention is a violation of freedom of expression, as reporters and photojournalists must be able to do their job without the fear of arrest, detention, or retaliation.

Stressing that Sai Zaw Thaike was imprisoned for exercising his rights, it called for his immediate and unconditional release.  It further demanded that Myanmar authorities ensure he is protected from torture and other cruel treatment, and has access to adequate medical care. Finally, it called upon Myanmar to uphold freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial in line with international human rights standards.