56 Hate Speech Ignited: Understanding Hate Speech in Myanmar The ICJ in January 2020 ordered provisional measures against Myanmar.295 Namely, to take all measures within its power to:1) prevent genocide against the Rohingya; 2) ensure the military and armed groups are to not commit acts of genocide including direct and public incitement to commit genocide; 3) prevent the destruction and preservation of any evidence related to allega- tions of acts; 4) report to the court every six months on all measures it has taken to give effect to the order. The first order was submitted by Myanmar in May 2020. The six constructed narratives have created a toxic mix of hate aimed at those who are differ- ent from the Buddhist-Burman majority and state and security apparatus. The hate has been aimed at both ethnic and religious minorities inside the country as well as those outside of Myanmar, and spawned structurally-rooted violence and deep-seeded systemic intolerance. B. Key Drivers A troubling picture of the key drivers of the hate speech in Myanmar emerged from the interviews and conversations done for this report. Many CSO members described that hate speech in Myanmar is not simply the product of individual bigotry and intolerance; rather, it has been systematically promoted and disseminated by powerful interests that benefit from the constructed narratives and the result- ing division and conflict in society.296 They also noted that the civilian government has been largely ineffective in addressing the rise of hate speech, too often succumbing to military pressure while also exhibiting its own nationalist biases.297 Several interviewees also noted that the narratives were not created in a vacuum.298 Instead, they proliferated due to socio-economic factors including Myanmar’s poverty and an education system that normalize and promote systematic discrimination.299 Contributors to and Beneficiaries of Hate Speech Beyond the ultranationalist groups themselves, CSO members identified a number of key contribu- tors to the rise in hate speech in Myanmar, including the military, political leaders, business interests, and religious leaders.300 They also analyzed how these entities have benefitted from the effects of hate speech.301 CSOs most often cited the military as the main contributor and beneficiary of hate speech.302 The interviews highlighted specific ways in which the military has been involved in the propagation 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 “Order: Request for the Indication of Provisional Measures, Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,” Republic of The Gambia v. Republic of the Union of Myanmar (January 23, 2020), https://www.icj-cij.org/files/case-related/178/178-20200123-ORD-01-00-EN.pdf. FGD (January 2019 and December 2019). Ibid. Ibid.; MS-R1-02; YGN-R3-01; YGN-R4-04. YGN-R1-01; MS-R3-01; MS-R2-01. FGD (January 2019 and December 2019). Ibid. Ibid; See, e.g., YGN-R3-01.