The International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School, together with Progressive Voice, Burma Monitor (Research and Monitoring) and 16 local organizations closely monitoring online hate speech inside Myanmar and/or are affected by it, will be launching an extensive report on hate speech leading up to the 2020 general elections. The report, which is being released one month ahead of the elections, deep dives into the discriminatory narratives of hate against ethnic and religious minorities in Buddhist-Burman society, the drivers of the hate speech including the role of ultra-nationalists, complicity of the Myanmar military and the government, the effects of fake news and hate speech on social media as well as the use of hate speech to attack activists, human rights defenders and the impact it is having on the very fabric of social cohesion and democracy in Myanmar.

This timely report addresses the issue of hate speech facing Myanmar in the lead up to the 2020 elections, due to be held on 8 November 2020. Panelists will share their own experience with fake news and virulent hate speech and provide their analysis on the impact hate speech has on democratic space in Myanmar. In addition, they will also offer recommendations on how Myanmar and the international community can work to curtail hate speech and incitement to violence.

Date: 8 October 2020

Time: 10:00 – 12:00 Yangon Time

RSVP: https://bit.ly/3nfuqOB

Moderator:

Ye Hein Aung; Director, Myanmar Cultural Research Society

Speakers

• Moe Thway; President, Generation Wave
• Pwint Phyu Latt; Coordinator, Thint Myat Lo Thu Myar (Peace Seekers and Multiculturalist Movement)
• Yee Mon Htun; Clinical Instructor and Lecturer on Law, International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School
• Wai Wai Nu, Founder and Executive Director, Women Peace Network
• Naw Ohn Hla, Candidate for Karen Ethnic Affairs Minister in Yangon Region, United Nationalities Democratic Party (UNDP)
• Ei Thinzar Maung, Lower House candidate, Pabedan Township, Yangon Region, Democratic Party of a New Society (DPNS)
• Nyo Nyo Thin, Upper House candidate, Tanintharyi Region, Independent candidate

The discussion will be in Burmese language, however, simultaneous English translation for non-Burmese speakers will be provided. If you would like to participate in the online press conference and the Q&A, please RSVP to the event here. https://bit.ly/3nfuqOB

For more information, please contact: [email protected]

Co-authored by

1. Kachin Women’s Association Thailand
2. Karen Human Rights Group
3. Burma Monitor (Researcch and Monitoring)
4. Myanmar Cultural Research Society
5. Generation Wave
6. Action Committee for Democracy Development
7. Synergy – Social Harmony Organization
8. Progressive Voice
9. Thint Myat Lo Thu Myar (Peace Seekers and Multiculturalist Movement)
10. Athan (Freedom of Expression Activist Organization)
11. Mandalay Community Center
12. Ta’ang Women’s Organization
13. Pon Yate
14. Reliable Organization
15. Olive Organization
16. Myanmar People Alliance (Shan State)
17. International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School
18. Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica
19. Pace on Peaceful Pluralism

Download PDF.

View in Burmese.

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