Vol. 8, No. 3 Smith & Smith: Use and Abuse of Social Media in Myanmar between… of linked Facebook accounts and pages that are being used to spread RFM misinformation through the social media platform”.109 It appeared that RFM was being operated by supporters of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, which was military-aligned. Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar In September 2018, the United Nations Human Rights Council issued its Independent International Fact-finding Mission report on Myanmar.110 "In accordance with its mandate, the mission focused on the situation in Kachin, Rakhine and Shan States since 2011. It also examined the infringement of fundamental freedoms, including the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and peaceful association, and the question of hate speech." 111 Despite written requests, the Government did not cooperate with the mission.112 There was limited informal contact with government representatives, but there were no written responses to any of its requests for information or to access incountry access. 113 The report was shared with the Government before release, but again there was no response.114 The findings and recommendations of the committee to the Government concerning its governance of social media were: 115 a. unequivocally condemn and end intolerant, divisive and discriminatory rhetoric based on ethnic, racial or religious grounds, both from State actors and non-State actors […]; 116 b. enact the domestic legislation necessary to punish the crimes of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, direct and public […];117 c. act swiftly to end all intolerant, divisive or discriminatory public commentary that reinforces hate speech and false narratives […]; 118 d. dismiss and otherwise hold accountable public officials, whether serving in the Government or military, found to be spreading hate speech or false narratives […]; 119 e. repeal or amend provisions in laws unduly restricting the interrelated rights to freedom of opinion and expression, association, and peaceful assembly, including sections 143-147, 499-502 and 505(b) of the Penal Code, the 109 Ibid. United Nations Human Rights Council (2018). 111 Ibid, at 1. 112 Ibid, para 2. 113 Ibid. 114 Ibid.. 115 United Nations Human Rights Council. (2019a). 116 Ibid, para 11. 117 Ibid, para 24. 118 Ibid, para 30(a). 119 Ibid, para 30(c). 110 320 Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4150894