Written by Econintersect
Australian economist is the only foreign national known to be detained by the military junta in Myanmar.
Sean Turnell was last heard from on Twitter on 02 February. Since then nothing directly from the Australian economist has been heard according to news services searches by Econintersect. Indirect information was available when it was reported 12 February that Australia’s ambassador In Myanmar had spoken with Turnell, pictured below with his wife in happier times.
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But reports about that contact have revealed little detailed information. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne has reported according to SBS News:
“Our ambassador and Professor Turnell discussed his health, welfare and the conditions in which he is being detained,” Senator Payne said in a statement to Reuters on Thursday.
Prof Turnell, of Sydney’s Macquarie University, is director of the Myanmar Development Institute in Naypyitaw and has served as a consultant to deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, since December. Picture of Turnell and Aung San Suu Kyi below, from Facebook:
An updated report from SBS News 17 February, reports that:
Hundreds of academics have rallied around detained Australian economist Sean Turnell, describing the well-known academic as the “nicest human you will ever meet” and calling for his immediate release from “unjustified” detention in Myanmar.
Some 360 academics from universities across Australia have signed the petition, which described Dr Turnell as an academic with a “strong and genuine” commitment to Myanmar and exemplary ethics.
Steve Keen was an early supporter who helped alert the world to Prof. Turnell’s plight. See Australian Economist Sean Turnell Detained By Myanmar Military. Prof Keen proposed that interested parties could follow @SeanTurnell on Twitter as a show of support. Since that request went out @SeanTurnell followers have increased from 1,359 to 2,026. Prof Keen expressed the hope that the number might be increased to 10,000 or more.
If you haven’t already, please follow @SeanTurnell on Twitter.
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