Myanmar May Target Free Speech in Effort to Stifle Protests
Civil society groups say a proposed measure to limit online expression and privacy rights could lead to mass arrests of those who criticize the military government.
Civil society groups say a proposed measure to limit online expression and privacy rights could lead to mass arrests of those who criticize the military government.
Over the last 10 days, a civil disobedience movement against the
military takeover in Myanmar has seeped into nearly every aspect of
society.Credit...The New York TimesThe military government in Myanmar has increasingly used nighttime arrests, legal threats, a curfew and a ban on large gatherings to tame weeklong anti-coup protests that have spread from the cities to the countryside. Now, civil society groups fear that the military is preparing a new law that would further restrict online expression and limit the privacy rights of citizens.
One telecommunications company, Telenor, said Friday that it was aware of the proposal and was reviewing it. A coalition of 158 civil society organizations signed a statement raising concerns that the potential new law would lead to the widespread arrest of government critics.
One telecommunications company, Telenor, said Friday that it was aware of the proposal and was reviewing it. A coalition of 158 civil society organizations signed a statement raising concerns that the potential new law would lead to the widespread arrest of government critics.