Writer jailing condemned

The United Nations and rights groups have condemned the Myanmar court's decision to sentence a writer to two years in jail and hard labour for insulting Buddhism, saying the government is sending the wrong message.

In a statement, the UN said Htin Lin Oo "courageously spoke out against the use of Buddhism as a tool for extremism”.

"His treatment and conviction are in stark contrast to the treatment of those in Myanmar who are clearly inciting violence against minority communities, particularly the Rohingya," it added.

he UN rights office lamented that "rather than prosecuting individuals, who brazenly call for the Rohingya to be killed, for hate speech and incitement to violence, the authorities have jailed a peaceful advocate who dared to question the misuse and manipulation of religion for extremist ends." 

On June 2, the Chaung Oo Court sentenced Htin Lin Oo to two years with hard labour for his speech in October he said was intended to discourage Buddhist extremism. In his speech, he challenged those linking Buddhism with race and nationality. He also accused radical nationalist Buddhist monks of using Buddhism as a justification for discrimination and persecution of minorities. Yet, his 1.40-hour speech was cut to 10 minutes and it was widely shared in social media. He later resigned as the information officer for the National League for Democracy (NLD).

He was charged last December under Article 295(A) which carries a maximum sentence of two years. The verdict was passed at his twentieth court appearance by township judge Lin Min Tun. His supporters as well as members of the Organisation for Protection of National Race and Religion (Ma Ba Tha), were at the court. Security was tightened when the writer was brought into the courtroom. After the verdict was passed, Htin Lin Oo was sent to Monywa Prison.

The writer looked upset. 

“I did not lose my case. I know who is behind the scenes of the religious and racial conflicts facing the country… Buddhist monks must stay away from worldly affairs as well as legislative matters,” Htin Lin Oo said.

His lawyer Thein Than Oo said the writer is considering whether to appeal. Earlier, Htin Lin Oo reportedly apologised Buddhist monks. 

“I passed the verdict in accordance with the law relevant to this case. Outside pressure was not considered. Bail cannot be granted to those convicted under article 295(A),” said Judge Lin Min Tun.

The UN and other rights groups – Amnesty International and the Burma campaign in UK – called for the immediate release of the writer.

In a statement, Wai Hnin, campaigns officer at the Burma campaign in UK said the government "should be encouraging writers like Htin Lin Oo to promote interfaith tolerance in the country, rather than sending him to jail”. “The jailing of Htin Lin Oo is an example that people in Burma still get arrested for exercising their freedom of speech,” he said, urging the UK government to step up pressure for the release of all political prisoners.

In a statement, Amnesty International said the guilty verdict is a serious blow to both freedom of expression and religious tolerance in the country.

“Today’s verdict is yet another blow to freedom of expression in Myanmar and should be overturned immediately. Htin Lin Oo did nothing but give a speech promoting religious tolerance – we consider him to be a prisoner of conscience who should be released without conditions,” said Rupert Abbott, Amnesty International’s research director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

“This is a sad indication of how Myanmar continues to rely on a range of draconian laws to silence and lock up critical voices. Despite promises to clear the country’s jails of prisoners of conscience, arrests of peaceful activists have actually picked up pace alarmingly over the past two years.”

“The growing influence of extremist Buddhist nationalists and their hateful rhetoric in Myanmar is deeply troubling. Instead of taking steps against these groups’ attempts to incite discrimination and violence, the government seems intent on compounding the problem by imprisoning those speaking out against religious intolerance, like Htin Lin Oo,” said Abbott.