Shin Daewe's Prison Sentence Shortened, Not Repealed

The Myanmar filmmaker's lifetime sentence has been commuted to a 15-year prison sentence

The ICFR has received reports that on January 5th of this year, the life prison sentence of Shin Daewe, one of Myanmar's pioneering female documentary filmmakers, has been shortened to 15 years. It is a small step in the right direction for Shin Daewe, whom the ICFR continues to stand with as we call upon the Myanmar authorities for a complete and unconditional repealing of the sentence and the accusations levelled against her.

The news is part of a broader amnesty on the part of Myanmar's current ruling military junta, to mark the 77th anniversary of Myanmar's independence from British colonial rule. On January 5th, the military junta released more than 6,000 inmates, only a small percentage of whom were political prisoners. In that category, Shin Daewe's sentence shortening is in line with the fates of 143 other prisoners who have now seen their life sentences reduced to fifteen years of incarceration.

Shin Daewe's sentence is the result of a closed trial of a military tribunal, all revolving around her possession of a filming drone common to documentary filmmaker. According to the military regime, this violated their counter-terrorism laws and was accordingly punished with a lifetime prison sentence on 10 January 2024. More context on Shin Daewe's filmmaking career and current situation can be read here.

Deeply worried about her health and well-being, the ICFR stands with Shin Daewe and call on the Myanmar authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Shin Daewe. We continue to encourage all film and cultural colleagues around the world to do the same, and invite them to share the link to her film NOW I AM 13 wherever possible. Contact us for more information.

International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk