ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship While the erosion of freedom of speech in Myanmar had already commenced before the coup, its complete absence has become apparent since the coup. In the four years leading up to February 2021, at least 539 lawsuits related to speech freedom were brought against 1,051 individuals in relation to expression. Of these, 495 were individuals unassociated with civil society, 326 activists, and 67 journalists or media professionals.31 Since it took power in February 2021 to November 2022, the junta has arbitrarily arrested and detained over 16,000 people for allegedly violating established speech freedom restrictions and continues to expand the grounds on which it could effectively eliminate the right to freedom of expression in Myanmar.32 As of June 20, 2023, the number reached 23,386 people arrested and detained.33 According to a military source, from January until the end of October 2022, more than 900 Facebook users were arrested for their posts and comments on the pages of public personalities or news organisations.34 In all, from the coup in February 2021 to December 2023, 25,883 people have been arrested, of whom 19,966 are still being held, and 8,585 are serving sentences. A total of 80,000 homes have been burnt down since the coup by the military junta, displacing 3,800,000 civilians.35 Criminal defamation provisions have long been wielded by public officials, politicians, religious and military leaders and even businesses to charge journalists, activists and ordinary citizens perceived as critics of the government and the military. Proceedings are lengthy and courts tend to side with the prosecution and impose heavy penalties against defendants. Additionally, defences included in the Criminal Code are regularly overlooked.37 Internet users are frequently penalised, and Section 66(d) of the 2013 Telecommunications Law is commonly invoked.38 In February 2020, three members of a performance group were sentenced to six months under this Section for posting photos, videos, and livestreaming on Facebook satire performances allegedly related to the military.39 In January 2021, 188 “ After the military coup happened, we lost our freedom of speech, freedom of expression and our access to information. We have also lost the democratic space created by the media in the country. Also, reporters are always at the centre of protests with shooting, tear gas and water cannons. This is dangerous as now there is no institution that journalists and media can turn to in this situation. 36 - Tin Tin Nyo, Managing Director of BNI Multimedia Group Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia