The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for the immediate release of Mu Dra, a local reporter abducted by the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) in Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Rakhine State. The journalist, known for her coverage of human rights abuses, was taken from her home on 20 September and later interrogated at the group’s intelligence office, according to her employer, Border News Agency.
Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s senior Southeast Asia representative, condemned the abduction, stating, “All combatants in Myanmar’s civil war have a responsibility to protect and not target journalists in retaliation for their news reporting.” The Arakan Army has not responded to requests for comment.
Mu Dra’s reporting has focused on violence against vulnerable communities in Rakhine, a region largely controlled by the Arakan Army, which faces mounting allegations of human rights violations. Her outlet appealed for her safe return, citing humanitarian concerns and protections under international law.
Journalists are recognized as civilians under Articles 79 and 51 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, and are entitled to protection in conflict zones. Yet, Myanmar’s civil war has seen escalating threats to press freedom. As of December 2024, CPJ reported 35 journalists imprisoned, while the country ranks 169th on the World Press Freedom Index.
The abduction comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis, compounded by ongoing military operations and a devastating earthquake in March 2025 that claimed over 3,600 lives. Rights groups warn that targeting journalists further undermines transparency and accountability in one of the world’s most volatile conflicts.
Excerpts from jurist.org article by Matteo Piccioli | Maastricht U. Faculty of Law, NL
