Myanmar
Churches, temples and monasteries regularly hit by airstrikes in Myanmar, activists say
By Grant Peck — January 23, 2024
BANGKOK (AP) — The 10 reported attacks on churches in the western state of Chin examined by the researchers are part of a broader assault on religious communities across the war-torn nation, other religious and human rights workers said.
Why Myanmar’s Nov. 8 election won’t be ‘free and fair’
By Brian Pellot — October 27, 2015
The military is harassing and arresting Facebook users, Rohingya Muslims can’t vote, and chief opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains barred from the presidency, even if her party wins.
VIDEO: Journalists & Religious Leaders Reflect on Faith in Myanmar Media
By Brian Pellot — June 5, 2015
Religion Newswriters Foundation gathered a panel of journalists and faith leaders representing Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism to discuss how they see local media portrayals of faith in Myanmar.
Geller effect * Rohingya plight * Dad-son marriage: May’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — June 2, 2015
Gunmen strengthen Pamela Geller’s brand of Islamophobia. Thousands of Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya remain stranded at sea. And a Pennsylvania “father” plans to wed his legally adopted “son.” Read on.
Countering violent extremism and hate speech in the age of social media
By Brian Pellot — May 22, 2015
Yes, violent extremists can use social media to spread lies and recruit disenfranchised communities, but peace advocates can just as easily use social media to counter these messages of hatred and intolerance without stifling freedom of expression.
Who are the Rohingya and why are they fleeing Myanmar?
By Brian Pellot — May 20, 2015
Thousands of Rohingya people have left Myanmar this spring and at least hundreds are now stranded at sea. Who are these Rohingya and what are they running from?
Rainbow jihad * Sex church * iSwap: April’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — May 1, 2015
Same-sex marriage heads back to SCOTUS. A Tennessee sex club becomes a church to skirt zoning restrictions. And Boko Haram rebrands as iSwap, aligning not with Apple but with the Islamic State. All this and more in April’s global religious freedom recap.
After Myanmar’s ‘Buddha headphones’ conviction, the worst may be yet to come
By Brian Pellot — March 18, 2015
Jail time and hard labor for sharing an image of the Buddha wearing headphones is a shocking violation of free speech. In Myanmar, I’m far from shocked.
Anti-Semitism * Anti-sex * Anti-women: February’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — March 2, 2015
Cold, short February was jam-packed with some mega atrocities on the religious freedom front. Count your lucky stars it's March, and hope for a better month ahead.
Charlie fallout * Blasphemy * Everything else: January’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — February 2, 2015
New year, new RFR format. Let’s start with a look at how January’s big story played out internationally then spotlight new challenges to religious freedom and freedom of expression across the globe.
When will Aung San Suu Kyi break her calculated silence on Myanmar’s Rohingya crisis?
By Brian Pellot — December 3, 2014
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate is pushing 70. Her hopes for a shot at Myanmar’s presidency next year seem lost. Will Aung San Suu Kyi finally speak up for her country’s persecuted and stateless Rohingya minority in 2015?
The road to sedition: Malaysia and Myanmar crackdown on dissent
By Brian Pellot — October 21, 2014
On my (lack of) freedom trail across Asia, fresh sedition and defamation charges are pressuring journalists and activists to self-censor government criticism or face hefty consequences.
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