Schiff, Chabot Statement on American Journalists Detained in Burma
Washington, D.C. – Today, Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Freedom of the Press Caucus, issued the following statement:
“It is unconscionable that the Burmese military continues to detain Danny Fenster without access to United States legal representation and in a notoriously brutal compound known for holding political prisoners. His arrest is an intolerable assault against a free and fair press and must elicit a firm response from all those who support freedom of the press around the world.
“The State Department has taken an important first step to publicly demand Mr. Fenster's release and we will continue to work with the administration and our colleagues to help secure his freedom. His unlawful detention and the detention of U.S. citizen and journalist Nathan Maung are an afront to the United States, and the military junta must understand that its violation of their rights will not go unanswered. We unequivocally call for their immediate release and return to the United States, and for the release of all journalists detained in Burma.
“We will continue to stand with journalists around the world as they expose the atrocities and corruption of authoritarians, like Burma’s generals, who look to silence those who seek to report the truth.”
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