The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued a strong appeal to the Arakan Army, urging the immediate release of Mu Dra, a local journalist who was abducted by the rebel group in Myanmar. Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s senior Southeast Asia representative, emphasized that all parties involved in Myanmar's ongoing civil war must safeguard journalists and abstain from using them as retaliation targets due to their reporting duties.

Mu Dra, who works for the Border News Agency, was taken from her home on September 20 by members of the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA). Following her abduction, she was reportedly interrogated at the Arakan Army’s Intelligence Office. Mu Dra is known for her coverage of human rights issues and the violence against vulnerable populations in Rakhine State—a region largely under the control of the Arakan Army, which has been accused of committing numerous human rights abuses.

The Border News Agency has publicly pleaded for her safe return, highlighting the anguish of her family and the importance of adhering to international law. According to international humanitarian law, specifically Articles 79 and 51 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, journalists are to be considered civilians and should be shielded from harm in conflict zones.

The abduction of Mu Dra is part of a broader and troubling trend in Myanmar, where journalists are increasingly at risk. The CPJ reports that as of December 2024, 35 journalists have been jailed, mostly on charges related to acts against the state. Myanmar is ranked 169th on the Reporters without Borders World Press Freedom Index, indicating a severe repression of the free press.

Myanmar's conflict, which escalated in 2021, has compounded the nation's challenges, including a series of natural disasters. A recent earthquake in March 2025 resulted in over 3,600 deaths, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. This was followed by renewed military assaults, further escalating civilian casualties.

The international community and local stakeholders are urged to intervene and advocate for the protection of journalists and the upholding of human rights in conflict zones. The CPJ and other organizations continue to monitor the situation closely, calling for an end to the violence and the safe return of Mu Dra to her family.