In October last year, Htin Lin Oo, a writer and former information officer for Myanmar's main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), gave a speech condemning religious extremism in the country. The comments appeared innocuous enough - Htin Lin Oo, who addressed a crowd of around 500 people, criticised how some groups take advantage of religion to stoke discrimination.
But then a short excerpt from his speech was circulated on social media, where many of Myanmar's Buddhist nationalist groups have a growing presence. Taken out of context, the comments caused a storm that led to his arrest shortly after. Today, he is languishing in a prison in the central Sagaing region, facing trial for "wounding religious feelings".
The uproar against Htin Lin Oo's comments is no surprise. The past years in Myanmar have seen a disturbing rise in religious intolerance, often fuelled by hardline Buddhist nationalist groups, directed particularly at Muslims.
But instead of tackling these issues head on and trying to defuse tensions, the Myanmar authorities continue to take steps that could fan the flames of intolerance even further.
At the moment, parliament is debating a series of repressive bills - ostensibly aimed at "protecting race and religion". If they become law they would not only give authorities free rein to further discriminate against minority religious groups and women, but could also provide the spark for further ethnic violence. Full story...
Related posts.
But then a short excerpt from his speech was circulated on social media, where many of Myanmar's Buddhist nationalist groups have a growing presence. Taken out of context, the comments caused a storm that led to his arrest shortly after. Today, he is languishing in a prison in the central Sagaing region, facing trial for "wounding religious feelings".
The uproar against Htin Lin Oo's comments is no surprise. The past years in Myanmar have seen a disturbing rise in religious intolerance, often fuelled by hardline Buddhist nationalist groups, directed particularly at Muslims.
But instead of tackling these issues head on and trying to defuse tensions, the Myanmar authorities continue to take steps that could fan the flames of intolerance even further.
At the moment, parliament is debating a series of repressive bills - ostensibly aimed at "protecting race and religion". If they become law they would not only give authorities free rein to further discriminate against minority religious groups and women, but could also provide the spark for further ethnic violence. Full story...
Related posts.
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- Woman, 94, killed as Buddhist rioters attack Muslim villages in Myanmar...
- Buddhists torch Muslim homes in Myanmar...
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