AFP

Dozens of UN member nations issued a statement Thursday denouncing internet shutdowns and attacks on freedom of expression in Myanmar.

Penned by Lithuania, Greece and France, the statement expressed "deep concern" over the plight of journalists and media workers since the military seized power in a February 1 coup.

We "strongly condemn their harassment, arbitrary arrests and detention, as well as of human rights defenders and other members of civil society," the statement read.

"We join the call for an immediate release of all those detained arbitrarily."

The statement also blasted the use of internet shutdowns "to curtail access to information."

Among the signatories on the statement are all members of the European Union, the United States, Britain, Turkey, Israel and Mexico.

China and Russia are notably absent.

© AFP