Just International

Myanmar Peace and Human Rights Consortium Condemn Ah-shin Wirathu’s Employment of Hate Speech toward Ms. Yanghee Lee

26 January, 2015

YANGON – During the course of his pre-organized mass meeting on 16 January, 2015, Ah-shin Wirathu, self-declared Nationalistic leader, attacked United Nations Special Rapporteur to Myanmar, Ms. Yanghee Lee and women activists. Hate speech, intimidation and degradation of human dignity will not be tolerated in Myanmar.

In his verbal assault on Ms. Lee, Ah-shin Wirathu specifically attacked her for her support of Rohingya Muslims and interfaith marriage. The interfaith movement in our country is strong, and this incident has publicly detracted from it. As a Buddhist Monk, Ah-shin Wirathu has marred the face of clergy and tarnished our country’s image. Religious authorities everywhere should be outraged by such disgraceful representation.

Hate speech is an unacceptable practice in Myanmar, as our country moves toward democratic change, and we condemn it wholeheartedly. We believe that moving forward, clergy, especially, have a responsibility to act as exemplary leaders of love, peace, openness and respect. Ah-shin Wirathu’s speech stands in direct opposition to religiosity and morality. We must, therefore, indicate to the international community and reiterate to ourselves that hate speech is inexcusable in Myanmar and an impediment to democratic progress.

Myanmar Peace and Human Rights Consortium members will continue to condemn any person who employs hate speech and insults the dignity of others.

Contact:

Myo Win, Steering Member, starmywin@gmail.com

Myanmar Peace and Human Rights Consortium
All member organizations support the actions of the Myanmar Peace and Human Rights
Consortium.
Equality Myanmar – Myanmar, Land Core Group – Myanmar Lawyers Network in Yangon –
Karen Women’s Empowerment Group – The National Youth Congress – SMILE Education and
Development Foundation – Shwe Minn Tha Foundation – The Myanmar Journalist Union –
Thabyay Education Foundation – International Organization Membership: