Offline Incitement Hate speech in Myanmar is still often spread by physical means, such as through leaflets, sermons, and rallies. Many of the cities that experienced riots have reported anti-Muslim and anti-Rohingya leaflets being handed out and monks preaching anti-Muslim rhetoric prior to the outbreak of mob violence. One example is a Reuters investigation into the 2013 riots around the town of Minhla near Yangon that destroyed three mosques and 17 Muslim-owned homes; witnesses stated that anti-Muslim sentiment in the area had significantly increased after 969 sermons a month before the incident. 77 Another prominent alleged example is the 2013 Meiktila incident, where a detailed report by Physician’s for Human Rights placed the death toll at 100,78 and where witnesses stated that the police stood by and watched as Muslims were killed.79 According to the International Crisis Group, weeks of anti-Muslim sermons by 969 monks, including by Wirathu, preceded the Meiktila incident.80 Another incident in January 2014 in Rakhine State, which resulted in upwards of 60 deaths, was allegedly preceded by 969 anti-Muslim sermons through loudspeakers in December.81 Witnesses also stated that members of the 969 had spread anti-Muslim messages during the same time period. 82 One leaflet from Meiktila, seen below, included the following:83 Image 8: Anti-Muslim Leaflet from Meiktila Translation • We are very terrified whenever we see a big group of Kalar who go to mosque everyday. Therefore we would like to ask support from monks who wouldn’t take bribery.” • “According to the above situation, Muslims in Marhtila, those tiger kalar are wearing their kalar mosque clothes and going around in the town more than before.” • “Using money Saudi allocated to mosques, they have been buying land, farm and houses both in and out of the town with incredible amount of money under the Burmese names.” 12

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