Myanmar military sues nine students for defamation
| Publisher | Radio Free Asia |
| Publication Date | 26 January 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Asia, Myanmar military sues nine students for defamation, 26 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58f9ca934.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
2017-01-26
Nine Myanmar students who performed an anti-war play in the town of Pathein in Ayeyarwaddy region on Jan. 9 are being sued by a military officer for defamation. Photo courtesy of Aung Khant Zaw's Facebook page
Myanmar's military is suing a group of high school and college students for performing an antiwar play earlier this month in which they allegedly defamed the armed forces, one of the students said.
Four high school and five college students from Pyinnya Parami Charity School staged the play on Jan. 9 during a peace workshop organized by local civic organizations at a hotel in Pathein, capital of Ayeyarwaddy region.
Lt. Gen. Aung Myo Naing, commander of the Southwest Regional Military Command, filed a lawsuit against the group in the township court on Jan. 17 under Article 500 of Myanmar's criminal code for damaging the military's reputation by using language that defamed soldiers and their families.
"I was charged under Article 500 as the main perpetrator, and the eight others were charged under Article 500/34 as accomplices," the leader of the performance group Aung Khant Zaw told RFA's Myanmar Service.
"The court will hear the case on Feb. 8, and we'll try to get bail on that day," he said.
The students performed the skit to show that they advocate peace in Myanmar and do not support various civil wars between the government army and ethnic armed groups, some of which have plagued the country for decades, Aung Khant Zaw said.
In presenting the skit, the students had no intention of insulting any person or any specific group, he said.
Pathein Police Superintendent Zaw Min Tun told the Democratic Voice of Burma that officers are investigating the case, but charges have yet to be filed against the defendants.
Myanmar's civilian-led government has made peace and national reconciliation one of its top priorities, so the country can move ahead with political dialogue and economic development.
Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's de facto leader, has spearheaded efforts to bring warring parties to the negotiating table by organizing the 21-century Panglong Conference, the next meeting of which is expected in February.
Reported by Thiri Min Zin for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Link to original story on RFA website
