Htin Lin Oo, the former information officer of the National League for Democracy (NLD), has been handed a two-year prison sentence following his conviction on charges of insulting religion.
Htin Lin Oo was charged under articles 295 (a) and 298 of Burma’s Penal Code after a speech he made on October 23rd criticizing Buddhist extremists for inciting hatred and violence. A Buddhist himself, he argued that the extremist Buddhist nationalists’ behavior was contrary to the teachings of Buddhism, but was charged with insulting Buddhism as a result.
There has been a growing climate of religious intolerance in Burma in recent years, resulting in violations of freedom of religion or belief, violations of freedom of expression and violence incited against religious minorities. Htin Lin Oo’s sentence comes as Burma’s Parliament continues to consider a package of new laws known as the Protection of Race and Religion Laws, which if implemented will include legislation restricting religious conversion and inter-religious marriage.
Htin Lin Oo was charged under articles 295 (a) and 298 of Burma’s Penal Code after a speech he made on October 23rd criticizing Buddhist extremists for inciting hatred and violence. A Buddhist himself, he argued that the extremist Buddhist nationalists’ behavior was contrary to the teachings of Buddhism, but was charged with insulting Buddhism as a result.
There has been a growing climate of religious intolerance in Burma in recent years, resulting in violations of freedom of religion or belief, violations of freedom of expression and violence incited against religious minorities. Htin Lin Oo’s sentence comes as Burma’s Parliament continues to consider a package of new laws known as the Protection of Race and Religion Laws, which if implemented will include legislation restricting religious conversion and inter-religious marriage.
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