The spread of fake news and hate speech may have influenced major Western polls, but in the incendiary atmosphere of Burma’s politics, it could be a matter of life or death. Just days before the US Senate took Mark Zuckerberg to task over Facebook’s failure to curb hate speech among Burmese users, he had already emailed a rare apology to six local activist groups who had accused him of mischaracterising his company’s tackling of violence-inciting messages. Mr Zuckerberg said sorry for “not being sufficiently clear about the important role that your organisations play” in responding to Burma-related issues, and outlined steps Facebook would take to increase its moderation and enforce strict... To continue reading this article Start your free trial of Premium Access all Premium articles Subscriber-only events Cancel any time Free for 30 days then only £2 per week Try Premium Access one Premium … [Read more...] about Why Facebook’s apology for fuelling anti-Rohingya violence in Burma is too little, too late
Burma
Burma’s military sentences seven to prison over deaths of 10 Rohingya Muslims
by Press Association April 10, 2018, 7:50 pm FacebookTwitterWhatsAppLinkedInEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter Subscribe todaySubscribe today from 99p Burma’s military has sentenced seven personnel to 10 years in prison and hard labour as alleged accomplices in the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslims in troubled Rakhine state. The country’s security forces carried out a brutal crackdown against the minority group in the state. The military personnel also were permanently expelled from the army, according to a statement released by the army chief on an official Facebook page. The army in January made a rare admission that its soldiers had killed 10 Rohingya villagers who were captured and accused of being “terrorists” during insurgent attacks last year in Inn Din village in northern Rakhine. The military said its soldiers confessed to carrying out the killings. The army’s statement said an investigative group under the military had … [Read more...] about Burma’s military sentences seven to prison over deaths of 10 Rohingya Muslims
A 70-year love story which began in the depths of war in Burma
She was a 21-year-old nurse working in a Burmese hospital, he was a young soldier fighting the Japanese, when they met, thousands of miles from home, in 1944. Now Madge and Basil Lambert’s love story has been bound in to a paperback in the same year they celebrate 70 happy years together.Some Sunny Day tells of junior nurse Madge leaving England to join the Burma Campaign, treating wounded soldiers close to the frontline during World War Two.Both Madge and Basil, now 94 and 95, travelled the 9,000 miles by passenger ship from Scotland to Mumbai (formerly Bombay), almost exactly 12 months apart in 1944 and 1943, in a voyage that took Madge a month and Basil nearly three.“It took us that long because we had to zig-zag down the Atlantic to avoid the German U-boats, whilst Madge went through the Mediterranean,” Basil said.It was in Chittagong where they met, Basil a captain in the (Middlesex) 10th Baluch Regiment. “It was jungle warfare,” Basil recalls. … [Read more...] about A 70-year love story which began in the depths of war in Burma
Suu Kyi loyalist sworn in as new president of Burma
News / World by Press Association 30/03/2018, 7:57 am FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail Send us a story Sign up to our Daily newsletter A long-time Aung San Suu Kyi loyalist has vowed to prioritise the rule of law, peace and reconciliation after being sworn in as the country’s new president. Win Myint will continue his predecessor’s deference to Ms Suu Kyi as the de facto national leader. The 66-year-old, who is the former lower house speaker, took his oath of office during a joint session of parliament, pledging loyalty “to the people and the republic of the Union” of Burma. First vice president Myint Swe, a military nominee and second vice president Henry Van Tio, an upper house parliament nominee, took oaths alongside him. Ms Suu Kyi and powerful army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing watched the swearing-in. For many years a political prisoner under the military that then ruled Burma, Ms Suu Kyi cannot become president because the … [Read more...] about Suu Kyi loyalist sworn in as new president of Burma
Amal Clooney joins legal fight to free journalists held in Burma
News / UK and world by Press Association March 29, 2018, 1:45 pm FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney will represent two journalists detained in Burma. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo – reporters for the Reuters news agency – are being held in a Yangon prison after being arrested in December. They are being held under the country’s Official Secrets Act, a statute which carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. The journalists had been working on an investigation into the massacre of 10 Rohingya men and boys in the Rakhine State. Barrister Ms Clooney, who specialises in international law and human rights, confirmed on Thursday that she has joined their legal team. “Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are being prosecuted simply because they reported the news,” she said. “I have reviewed the case file and it is clear beyond doubt that the two journalists are innocent and … [Read more...] about Amal Clooney joins legal fight to free journalists held in Burma