GOOD AFTERNOON MYANMAR…
February 5th, 2008
Blogger Nay Phone Latt is alive and in detention at a government office. Latt was picked up by the government four days ago on undisclosed charges believed to be associated with his blogging activities. He was spotted by members of Myanmar’s opposition party briefly detained at the same location as Latt.
Officials have declined to confirm his whereabouts – or his arrest.
No reason for Nay Phone Latt’s apparent detention has been made public, but he disappeared amid tightening government control of the Internet. Even in normal times, the ruling junta tries to block many Web sites it considers subversive.
Reporters Without Borders said last week that Myanmar authorities have stepped up their surveillance of the Internet since the beginning of the year, pressuring Internet café owners to register all users’ personal details and to program screen captures every five minutes on each computer.
Bloggers played a major role in ensuring the free flow of information in and out of Myanmar late last year during massive anti-government protests and the violent crackdown that ended them.
They managed to post up-to-date news, photos and commentary that captured the world’s attention.
Three youth members of the opposition National League for Democracy party were detained last week. They said after their release Monday that they had seen Nay Phone Latt at the Home Ministry, which coordinates security affairs, said league spokesman Nyan Win.
As I’ve written before, Latt is no more nor less important than any other political prisoner in Myanmar. But because he is a blogger I feel a kinship and an obligation to not allow him and his story to disappear.
How do you feel?
[...] Reporters Without Borders said last week that Myanmar authorities have stepped up their surveillance of the Internet since the beginning of the year, pressuring Internet cafe owners to register all users’ personal details and to program screen captures every five minutes on each computer. (FROM Good Afternoon Myanmar). [...]