Sham Yee-Lan, chairperson of HKJA, said there is no good reason for the arrest. She told the South China Morning Post “it is very common for war journalists to carry one; it is definitely not a weapon.” HKJA has contacted the Hong Kong Security Bureau for assistance for Kwan.
The IFJ Asia Pacific office has written a letter to the Thai Prime Minister, General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, calling on him to immediately withdraw the charges and release Kwan. In the letter, the IFJ said: “The IFJ supports and advocates the rights of journalists to safe and secure working conditions, including the right to protect themselves adequately in the field. The IFJ maintains that withholding the right to safety equipment from media personnel such as bullet-proof vests and helmets is a violation of the Thai Constitution which commits to the protection of human rights.” “We are also very concerned that the charges against Anthony Kwan are a violation against the rights of all media workers and will further jeopardise journalists’ safety in reporting dangerous conditions in Thailand” said the IFJ. In early 2014, the IFJ launched a campaign calling for legislation to allow journalist to legally equip themselves with body amour for protection while reporting on protests and other potentially dangerous events. This was not without good reason. During those protests, at least 10 local and international media workers were injured. In 2010, two foreign journalists were shot dead as they covered political rallies and in December 2013 a photojournalist was injured by rubber bullets while covering clashes in Bangkok. These incidents all highlight the urgent need for safety equipment for journalists. The IFJ respectfully calls on Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha to use your position of influence to immediately have all charges against Anthony Kwan withdrawn and let him return to Hong Kong.For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0946
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 134 countries
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