Myanmar: Woman imprisoned for Facebook post
A 24-year-old woman in Myanmar has been sentenced to six monthsâ imprisonment in connection with a Facebook post mocking the army. She is a prisoner of conscience, who must be released immediately and unconditionally.
On 28 December 2015, Chaw Sandi Tun, also known as Chit Tha Mee, was sentenced to six monthsâ imprisonment by the Maubin Township Court, in Ayeyarwady Region, in the southern part of the country. She was sentenced under Article 66(d) of Myanmarâs 2013 Telecommunications Act, which provides for up to three yearsâ imprisonment for âextorting, coercing, restraining wrongfully, defaming, disturbing, causing undue influence or threatening any person by using any Telecommunications Networkâ. Chaw Sandi Tun had also faced an additional defamation charge under Article 500 of Myanmarâs Penal Code, however this charge was dropped by the court.
Chaw Sandi Tun was arrested on 12 October for a post she shared on Facebook, pointing out that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was wearing clothes of a colour similar to those of the army, and in particular Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Her comment read: âIf you love her [Aung San Suu Kyi] so much, put a piece of her longyi [sarong] on your headâ. In Myanmarâs patriarchal society, the idea of a man wearing a womenâs clothes on his head is traditionally deemed to be offensive. She was arrested in Yangon, Myanmarâs main city, and transferred to Maubin prison in Ayeyarwady Region, where she remains behind bars.
Please write immediately in Burmese, English or your own language:
Calling on the Myanmar authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Chaw Sandi Tun;
Urging them to ensure that, pending her release, she is not tortured or otherwise ill-treated; is not transferred to a remote prison; has regular access to family members and lawyers of her choosing; and is provided with any medical care she may require;
Calling on them to repeal or amend all laws which impose arbitrary or sweeping restrictions on the human right to freedom of expression, in line with international human rights law and standards.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 15 FEBRUARY 2016 TO:
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