Athan: 250 people face charges for social media posts

More than 250 people faced criminal charges for expressing their opinions on social media in the first half of the year, according to a report by local free speech group Athan. 

The report said 70 cases with 250 respondents were filed over opinions expressed on social media from January to June this year.

“We’ll submit the report to the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) and Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) as they are capable of legislation,” said Maung Saung Kha, director of Athan. 

The report was launched in Yangon on Monday in a bid to pass reforms that would promote and protect freedom of expression in the country. 

Activists, students, journalists, artists and farmers who oppose the new farmland law are among those who have been threatened with legal action for expressing their opinions.

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Khin Myat Myat Wai