Kyaw Soe Oo

Kyaw Soe Oo is a Burmese journalist who worked for the Reuters news agency, known for his investigative reporting on Rohingya issues in Myanmar. He was arrested and imprisoned in 2017 along with his colleague Wa Lone for their reporting on the Rohingya crisis in Rakhine State. Kyaw Soe Oo's work has been recognized by Amnesty International, Committee to Protect Journalists, and Reporters Without Borders. His case has been closely followed by UN human rights officials, including Zeid Raad Al Hussein and Michelle Bachelet.

● Early Life and Education

Kyaw Soe Oo was born in Myanmar and grew up in a family of modest means, with his parents being Buddhist farmers from Magway Region. He developed an interest in journalism at a young age, inspired by the work of Aung San Suu Kyi and other pro-democracy activists. Kyaw Soe Oo pursued his education at Yangon University, where he studied English and developed his writing skills, influenced by authors such as George Orwell and Joseph Heller. He began his career in journalism by working for local Burmese publications, including The Myanmar Times and Mizzima News, before joining Reuters in 2016.

● Career

As a journalist for Reuters, Kyaw Soe Oo covered a range of topics, including politics, economy, and human rights in Myanmar. He worked closely with his colleague Wa Lone to investigate the Rohingya crisis in Rakhine State, which led to the publication of a series of exposés on the Rohingya genocide. Their reporting was widely recognized and praised by organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Kyaw Soe Oo's work also drew attention from world leaders, including António Guterres, Emmanuel Macron, and Angela Merkel.

● Arrest and Imprisonment

In 2017, Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone were arrested by Myanmar police while investigating the Rohingya crisis in Rakhine State. They were charged under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly possessing classified documents, and were sentenced to seven years in prison in 2018. The arrest and imprisonment of Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone were widely condemned by international organizations and world leaders, including US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The case was also closely followed by human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the Committee to Protect Journalists.

● Release and Aftermath

In 2019, Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone were released from prison after being pardoned by Myanmar President Win Myint. Their release was welcomed by international organizations and world leaders, including US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. After their release, Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone continued to work as journalists, and their case has been recognized as a symbol of the struggle for press freedom and human rights in Myanmar. They have also been recognized by Pulitzer Prize and Sakharov Prize for their work.

● Awards and Recognition

Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone have received numerous awards and recognition for their work, including the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2019, the Sakharov Prize in 2018, and the Journalist of the Year award from the Reporters Without Borders in 2018. They have also been recognized by Amnesty International, Committee to Protect Journalists, and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Their work has been praised by world leaders, including Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, and Justin Trudeau, and has been recognized as a symbol of the struggle for press freedom and human rights in Myanmar. Kyaw Soe Oo's story has also been featured in various media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and BBC News.

Category:Myanmar journalists