Translating Practice 2 Politics

CHÍNH TRỊ  POLITICS

MYANMA JUNTA CHARGES CELEBRITY WITH

PROMOTING PROTEST
https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/myanmar-junta-charges-celebrities-with-promoting-protests/

Myanmar’s ruling junta published a list of actors, actresses,

musicians, and social media influencers it accuses of
threatening stability by sharing news.

Myanmar’s ruling junta stepped up its campaign against celebrities who support nationwide
protests against its seizure of power, publishing wanted lists in the state press and warning
against using their work.

The move follows weeks of escalating violence by security forces in breaking up street protests
against the February 1 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. At least
570 protesters and bystanders, including 47 children, have been killed since the takeover,
according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which monitors casualties and
arrests. The coup reversed the country’s gradual return to democracy after five decades of
military rule.

The lists published Sunday and Monday in the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper include
actors, actresses, musicians, and social media influencers charged with violating Section 505(A)
of the Penal Code for “spreading news to affect state stability.” The penalty for the offense is up
to three years’ imprisonment. A chart filling most of a page lists 20 people, along with photos,
hometowns, and Facebook pages of each.

Several actors and directors were also charged in February, but the campaign against celebrity
protest supporters was stepped up last week when army-controlled Myawaddy TV broadcast a
wanted list. There are now at least 60 people on such lists.

May Toe Khine, who describes herself in her Twitter profile as “Full Time Burmese Actress / Part
Time Fashion Designer Student,” tweeted after the TV announcement that her arrest warrant was
“for simply doing my job as a civilian: using my platform to speak out the truth.” “Please always
pay attention to news in Myanmar until we win,” she wrote.

What appears to be a leaked document from the Information Ministry advises broadcasters and
production agencies of the cases against people in the fields of literature, film, theater arts,
music, and journalism. It warns them not to publish or broadcast any of their work or face
prosecution themselves.
The April 4 document, which could not be authenticated by The Associated Press, was reported
by Khit Thit Media and widely circulated on social media.

Protests continued Monday around the country, but generally on a smaller scale than recently
and often in ways intended to avoid confrontations. On Sunday, an “Easter Egg Strike” was held
with eggs painted in support of the protests displayed in public places and online. In Dawei, a
city in southeastern Myanmar that is a stronghold of the protest movement, a short march was
accompanied by a motorcycle procession.

In Yangon, the country’s biggest city, a memorial march for the dead was held by mourners
clad in black. Separately, about 20 people gathered briefly on a city street and burned Chinese
flags. Many protesters believe that Beijing backs the military regime with economic and political
support, including the threat of a veto at the U.N. Security Council against international
sanctions.

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