8
Hate Speech Ignited: Understanding Hate Speech in Myanmar
To the Myanmar Military
Adhere to the above recommendations made to the government of Myanmar;
Place any military personnel implicated in incidents of hate speech, including incitement of
discrimination, hostility, violence, and genocide on immediate administrative leave until an
independent investigation can be completed; cooperate with all such investigations and support enforcement of any outcomes that result;
Stop contributing to the circulation of hate speech that target ethnic and religious minorities
and promote armed conflict in Myanmar;
Stop military operations against ethnic and religious minorities, and end grave human rights
violations and atrocities; and
Stop endorsing or supporting ultranationalist groups that perpetuate narratives of hate.
To Civil Society
Monitor and counter hate speech by state and non-state actors;
Raise public awareness to combat hate speech by highlighting its harmful narratives, its drivers and root causes, how such speech is disseminated, and the impact of such speech on ethnic and religious minority communities and society more generally; and
Hold consultations and trainings on the impact of hate speech in Myanmar and support efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
To the International Community
Urge the Myanmar government and military to adopt and implement the above recommendations;
Support local CSOs and HRDs who work to monitor and counter the harms of hate speech and
ultranationalism; and
Implement the recommendations made by UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar in its reports in 2018 and 2019; and
Support ongoing international accountability efforts, including at the International Court of
Justice and International Criminal Court for gross human rights violations and atrocities.