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About News Our network Our work Resources Stories En | Es | Fr Search APC Talk Human rights News Countering misinformation, disinformation and hate speech targeting Rohingya refugees By APCNews 4 December 2024 | Updated 5 December 2024 Video: Rohingya respond to hate and misinformation online In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in misinformation, disinformation and hate speech directed at Myanmar's Indigenous Rohingya population, with devastating consequences. Since 2017, Rohingya have been systematically driven from their ancestral homes, and their situation further worsened after the violent military coup in 2021, creating a refugee crisis as forced displacement has become the only means of survival. Digital struggle and resistance in the Myanmar revolution Digital repression targeting the Rohingya and other minority groups in Myanmar has included internet blackouts, selective shutdowns, surveillance and social media weaponisation. False narratives about Rohingya refugees fuel hate and harm, pushing a vulnerable community further into fear and inciting real-life threats and violence against those who have already lost so much. These harmful narratives not only deepen mistrust but also fuel prejudice, incite real-world harassment and increase the dangers faced by Rohingya communities daily. In response, Rohingya activists are taking action to reclaim their narratives by sharing stories grounded in truth, resilience and empathy. Stopping the spread of hatred and disinformation and promoting truth to bring awareness to the plight of Rohingya refugees is more urgent than ever. Supporting safe conditions in Myanmar means building a future where they can return home. EngageMedia's Pretty Good Podcast: How digital rights challenges reflect democratic ones in Myanmar HRC41: Statement regarding the spread of hate speech offline and online in Myanmar Joint civil society statement on Myanmar government's orders to block over 200 websites To support these efforts, Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network (RMCN) and the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) have jointly developed an advocacy video aimed at countering the damaging impact of misinformation and hate speech targeting Rohingya refugees. This powerful video features two Rohingya advocates: Hafsar Tameesuddin, cosecretary general of APRRN, and Yasmin Ullah, founder and executive director of RMCN. Together, they confront prevalent falsehoods about their community that circulate widely on social media, especially in South and Southeast Asian countries where many Rohingya refugees seek asylum. The full video is available with subtitles in four languages: English, Burmese, Bahasa, and Thai. We invite you to help amplify this crucial message by sharing the video across your social media channels and networks using the #StopHateAgainstRohingya hashtag. By doing so, you can contribute to fostering a more nuanced understanding of Rohingya refugees while raising awareness of the harmful effects of misinformation and hate speech. Tags Topics Regions Myanmar refugees Human rights and ICTs displacement misinformation disinformation ICTs for peace Asia Areas of work Human rights GenderIT.org Global Information Society Watch Association for Progressive Communications (APC) 2024. Take Back the Tech! Unless otherwise stated, content on the APC website is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Feminist Tech Exchange African School on Internet Governance Subscribe to our newsletter email@example.com Follow us Events Media centre Login APC Inside Contact