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With increasing mobile
phone usage in Myanmar
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more people are gaining
access to the Internet.
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It is now regarded
as an effective tool
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for open communications and
promoting a global economy.
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According to the Internet World Statistics,
58% of Southeast Asians access the Internet.
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In Myanmar, 33% of our
people are Internet users.
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Globally, more people are using the
internet to access social media.
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From 28.7% in 2010, the number of users
worldwide increased to 54.4% in 2018.
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In 2013, the government created a new
telecommunications law, aiming to develop
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modern electronic communication
platforms with new telcos
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that will build sustainable
tech for Myanmar.
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However, Article 66(D)
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is used to condemn dissent
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instead of securing free communications.
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In Myanmar, using Facebook
is the main internet activity
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to share stories and opinions
with friends and family.
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Yet, the Myanmar people,
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who are expressing
diverse views online,
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are now prone to defamation cases
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with the existence of
the ambiguous Article 66(D)
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of the Telecoms Law.
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What is Article 66(D)?
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It is a criminal provision
that penalises people
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who are extorting, defaming,
disturbing or threatening
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any person using any
telecom network.
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Anyone found guilty will face
a jail term not exceeding two years,
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or pay a fine of not more than
1 million kyats (US$700), or both.
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Given the gravity of its sanctions,
the article does not protect anyone
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against malicious claims.
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Contrary to government claims,
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the law has not been used to
support tech development.
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Instead, it’s been used as a weapon
to suppress the voices of the people.
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Under the current government,
82% of 66(D) cases against civilians
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were by government and state officials.
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The same trend was observed
in the previous government.
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More than half of these cases were
filed by the police and military,
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whose actions were
met with protests.
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The majority of the accused
were political party members,
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journalists,
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religious people,
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human rights activists and artists.
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Together, let us assert our right
to a free and open internet.
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Let us abolish Article 66(D)!
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The rest of the
cases under 66(D)
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were against ordinary
citizens like you and I.
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It can target
anyone, anytime.
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Our freedom of expression should and
will not be trampled by one article.
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Let us bring real democracy to
Myanmar by abolishing 66(D)!
EngageMedia
