Myanmar actors jailed with hard labour for taking jibes at military

Five members of a traditional theatrical troupe were sentenced to a one-year jail term with hard labour by a Myanmar court for their jibes about the military. The actors of Peacock Generation Thangyat troupe reportedly poked fun at military representatives in the parliament and military involvement in the business. They were earlier arrested in April following their performances during celebrations of Myanmar’s traditional new year. Despite having an elected government, Myanmar's military a powerful political force in the country.

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Charges against the artists

The artists were performing 'thangyat' which involves a combination of dance and music with a verse that often has a satirical edge. The troupe's actors were convicted under a law that prohibited the circulation of information that could endanger or demoralise the military personnel. As per the law, convicts might get two years of imprisonment and cannot be bailed out. Two more members, including the five convicted, face various charges related to the case, including charges of online defamation for live streaming their performances.

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Activists criticize the verdict

Calling the verdict appalling, research director for Southeast Asia for the human rights organisation Amnesty International Joanne Mariner said that it speaks volumes about the dire state of freedom of expression in Myanmar. In an emailed statement, she further said that the activists are prisoners of conscience. Calling the Myanmar authorities "thick-skinned", Joanne said that they don't have the ability to tolerate a mild form of criticism. Echoing Mariner's concerns, Maung Saungkha of Athan, a Myanmar-based free speech group said that sentencing of Peacock Generation means that the judiciary of the country is continuing the military’s suppression of freedom of expression.

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Army enjoys the upper hand in state affairs

In August, a filmmaker was jailed on the charges of defaming the military with his posts on Facebook. Likewise, director Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi, founder of Myanmar’s Human Dignity Film Institute and the country’s Human Rights, Human Dignity International Film Festival was also jailed. With Aung San Suu Kyi being elected as the State Counsellor in 2016, the military had officially stepped down in Myanmar. Yet the army continues to enjoy an upper hand in the state affairs. Reporters and activists continue to face legal challenges under laws covering defamation and online activities.

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