07/05/2019 (Agence Europe) – The European External Action Service spokesperson welcomed on Tuesday 7 May, the presidential pardon obtained by two Reuters journalists in Burma, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were sentenced to seven years in prison under the 1923 Official Secrets Act. They had investigated allegations of serious human rights violations in Rakhine State. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo "are now free and can return to their families and resume their vital work", the spokesperson said. The spokesperson recalled that the EU would continue to defend media freedom and pluralism, which are "essential pillars of democracy in the world", and to work with the Burmese authorities to support democracy in that country. The EU has consistently called for the release of journalists (see EUROPE 12170/15). (CG)