Year in photos: Lens of empathy captures stories of resilience across borders

In 2024, RFA photojournalist highlighted Hong Kong and Myanmar’s exiled communities rebuilding their lives half a world away.

By Paul Nelson and H. Léo Kim for RFA

WASHINGTON — Radio Free Asia photojournalist Gemunu Amarasinghe has had a distinguished career capturing images across Asia. His ability to access intimate moments sheds new light on the stories behind the struggle for freedom and human rights.

In the special report, “In Washington, Myanmar democracy advocates push for a Breakthrough,” Amarasinghe captures the efforts of Myanmar’s National Unity Government in Washington, D.C., as Deputy Foreign Minister Moe Zaw Oo and press aide Aye Chan Mon navigate the complexities of international diplomacy.

In “Nyah Mway: The boy who will forever be 13,” he delves into the tragedy of a young refugee from Myanmar who was fatally shot by police in Utica, New York. His photographs reveal the effect the incident has had on Nyah’s family and community, offering insight into broader issues of systemic violence and the experiences of displaced people in the United States.

In “Five Years after a Summer of Protest, Hong Kong Exiles are Still Rebuilding Their Lives,” Amarasinghe chronicles the lives of Hong Kong activists who have resettled in the United States following the 2019 pro-democracy protests.

Through his lens, Amarasinghe provides a comprehensive perspective on resilience and transition. Here are some of his photos:

Zin Mar Aung, Moe Zaw Oo and Aye Chan Mon, members of Myanmar's National Unity Government, walk outside the U.S. Capitol after meeting with lawmakers in January 2024.
RFA-Year-end-Photo-Gemunu_001 Zin Mar Aung, Moe Zaw Oo and Aye Chan Mon, members of Myanmar's National Unity Government, walk outside the U.S. Capitol after meeting with lawmakers in January 2024. (Gemunu Amarasinghe/RFA)
Aye Chan Mon tries to work from home as her cat tries to intervene. Despite the distractions offered by life in the U.S., her thoughts are never far from the turmoil that has engulfed Myanmar. “I don’t have freedom right now because my mind and thoughts are always in my country,” she said. Living with her mom has helped ease her homesickness. But she constantly worries about friends and family back home, including her father, who is the NUG defense minister. Aye Chan Mon, who is a doctor in Myanmar, works as a pharmacy technician at a Giant grocery store as her modest NUG salary requires a supplemental income.
RFA-Year-end-Photo-Gemunu_002 Aye Chan Mon, a press aide with Myanmar's National Unity Government, works from home as her cat tries to intervene. (Gemunu Amarasinghe/RFA)
Myanmar’s exile National Unity Government’s Deputy Foreign Minister Moe Zaw Oo was at the NUG’s office in a co-working space in downtown Washington.
RFA-Year-end-Photo-Gemunu_003 Moe Zaw Oo, deputy foreign minister of Myanmar’s National Unity Government, is seen at the NUG's office at a coworking space in downtown Washington. (Gemunu Amarasinghe/RFA)
Buddhist monks chant at the burial of Nyah Mway, 13, in Utica, New York, July 6, 2024.
photojournalism-asia-myanmar-nyah-mway Buddhist monks chant at the burial of Nyah Mway, 13, in Utica, New York, July 6, 2024. (Gemunu Amarasinghe/RFA)
Nyah Mway’s mother Chee war, father Ka Le Wan, and sister Paw K War at their home in Utica, New York, Aug. 18, 2024. Ka Le Wan stepped in a land mine in May 2006 and lost his limb. His family was living in Umpiem refugee camp on the Thai-Myanmar border. He worked as a day-laborer in corn-fields in Myanmar to make 150 bhat a day. After stepping on a landmine, he was hospitalized over a month in Mae Sot before moving to Mae Daw’s refugee clinic. Since he lost his limb, his wife Chee War started doing similar work and became the breadwinner of the family. Eventually, they both worked but Ka Le War stayed back some days taking care of the children as he was in continuous pain caused by the pressure of using his limb
RFA-Year-end-Photo-Gemunu_004 Nyah Mway's mother Chee War, father Ka Lee Wan, and little sister Paw War at their home in Utica, New York, Aug. 18, 2024. (Gemunu Amarasinghe/RFA)
Hong Kong democracy activist Frances Hui outside Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in DC in Washington, D.C., May 2, 2024. As she stood across the street from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, D.C., Francis Hui couldn’t quite suppress a smile, despite the bounty on her head. “Behind this building is a regime that is still actively trying to hunt activists down,” Hui, said. “One of them is me.”
RFA-Year-end-Photo-Gemunu_006 Hong Kong democracy activist Frances Hui stands outside the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, D.C., during a protest to mark World Press Freedom Day, May 2, 2024. (Gemunu Amarasinghe/RFA)
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist ⁨Huen Lam⁩ at the Mall in Washington, D.C., March 30, 2024.
RFA-Year-end-Photo-Gemunu_007 Huen Lam visits the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C., March 30, 2024. (Gemunu Amarasinghe/RFA)

Edited by Jim Snyder.