Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights: Ravina Shamdasani
Location:
Geneva
Subjects:
Myanmar
We are appalled at the two-year prison sentence handed
down to U Htin Lin Oo on charges of insulting religion. U 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.
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. High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad
Al Hussein has previously raised U Htin Lin Oo’s case, warning Myanmar against
creating a new generation of political prisoners by jailing people who seek to
enjoy the democratic freedoms they were promised in the reforms the country has
undergone in the past two years.
We urge the authorities to release U Htin Lin Oo
unconditionally and to take all necessary measures to ensure that those who
conduct peaceful advocacy, legitimately exercising their rights to freedom of
expression and opinion, do not face reprisals.
We also call on the Government of Myanmar to send a clear
message against hate speech and incitement to violence. While the increased
space for freedom of expression in Myanmar has been welcome, international
standards require that any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred
that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence should be
prohibited by law.
ENDS
For more information, please contact Ravina Shamdasani
(+41 22 917 9169 / +41 79 201 0115/ rshamdasani@ohchr.org)
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