LANSING, Mich. (June 2, 2021) — Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) and Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement calling for the safe return of Daniel Fenster, a Michigan native and American journalist, who was detained in Myanmar on May 24 while traveling home to Huntington Woods.
Fenster is the managing editor of Frontier Myanmar, an independent news outlet based in the country. Following a military coup in February, hundreds of pro-Democracy protesters have been killed and thousands arrested, including journalists reporting on events leading up to Fenster’s detainment last week.
“Journalism is not a crime. Our freedom of press ensures the security of journalists here at home, and it must also compel us to extol those virtues around the globe. As a nation that is deeply committed to protecting the freedoms, safety, and human rights of its citizens, U.S. officials should be making every effort to ensure that Danny is returned home safely, immediately, and unconditionally,” Sen. Moss said.
Sen. Moss and Rep. Weiss introduced Senate Resolution 61 and House Resolution 118 to urge the Biden Administration and the U.S. Department of State to act with the utmost urgency to secure a safe release of Fenster. A bipartisan group of Oakland County legislators also sent a letter to the U.S. State Department to ask for support and intervention to get him home.
“It is critical that the State Department work with the utmost urgency to ensure Danny’s immediate and unconditional release and return safely home,” Rep. Weiss said. “Here in Michigan, we will all continue to do everything in our power to support the Fenster family in this difficult time.”
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