The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for athorough investigation and accountability for those responsible for the murderof journalist Phoe Thiha by the military regime.

Myanmar authorities must conduct a credible andindependent investigation into the killing of journalist Phoe Thiha (aka) KoMyat Thu Tun and ensure swift actions against the perpetrators, CPJ said onFriday.

“We strongly condemn the murder of journalist Myat ThuTan and call on Myanmar authorities to identify and prosecute thoseresponsible,” Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s southeast Asia representative, said in astatement.

On 16 February, CPJ called for action to be takenagainst the perpetrators responsible for the killing and burial of journalistPhoe Thiha by the junta's 540th battalion based in Mrauk-U township of RakhineState.

“A culture of impunity has taken deep root in Myanmar since the 2021democracy-suspending coup. The junta must stop killing, and start protectingthe journalists,” added Shawn Crispin.

On 20 September 2022, Phoe Thiha was arrested from hisresidence in Mrauk-U locality by the junta soldiers and police personnel. Hewas charged under section 505(a) and held in custody at Mrauk-U Myoma policestation.

Phoe Thiha  was one of the victims including Ko Kyaw Zan Wai (aka) Phoe LaPyae (aka) Rain Shoet, Ko Kyaw Thein Hlaing, Ko Kyaw Win Hlaing, Ko Ko Nyunt,Ko Win Naing and  Ko Pyae Sone Win in Mrauk-U cell, whose bodies wererecovered by Arakan Army fighters after capturing the Mrauk-U town. Two otherpolitical prisoners namely  Ko Nyi Nyi Aung (aka) Aung Zaw Win and  UKyaw Nyunt were also found dead in Minbya.

Journalist Pho Thiha used to contribute news relatedarticles to various media outlets including DVB, 7Day News, The Voice, etc withRakhine-based media organisations.

Myanmar is ranked 9th on CPJ’s latest global impunityindex, an annual global ranking of countries where the killers of scribeshabitually get away with murder.

According to CPJ’s 2023 prison census, Myanmar is also theworld’s second-worst jailer of journalists.