Myanmar: writer imprisoned for 'insulting' Buddhists

June 05, 2015

In Myanmar, an influential writer has been sentenced to two years at hard labor for “insulting” Buddhism with his public criticism of nationalist Buddhist monks, the AsiaNews service reports.

Htin Linn Oo, who has a publicist for Myanmar’s political opposition, was arrested after he denounced a demonstration by Buddhist monks demanding that Muslim migrants be deported. He was prosecuted under the provisions of a law that prescribes penalties for those who “hurt the religious sentiments of others.” Oo had argued that the monks were exploiting Buddhism to make a political statement against the Muslim minority.

 

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Further information:

• Burmese scholar given hard labour for defending religious harmony against xenophobic Buddhists (AsiaNews)