Freedom of Expression Activist Organization 2019 Mid-year Report on Status of Freedom of Expression in Myanmar Application of Penal Code Section 505 (a), (b), (c) for Prosecution Section 505 (a) was applied four times to charge 26 Section 505 (b) was Individuals applied six times to charge 23 Individuals Sections 505 (a)+(b) were applied one time to charge 1 Individual There are 11 lawsuits with 50 individuals charged by the application of Section 505 (a) and (b) of Penal Code during the 2019’s first six months. Section 505 (c) had been usually used to file charges in 2018, but it was not applied in first half of 2019. Government Tatmadaw NLD Party Section 505 (b) Section 505 (a) Section 505 (a)+(b) In the 11 cases with 505 (a) and (b), the government lodged three charges; the military lodged seven charges and the National League for Democracy (NLD) filed one charge. In pressing charges, the government applied only 505 (a), but the military used both 505 (a) and (b). The respective township courts dropped charges against Sayadaw U Thaw Bi Ta who was sued by the army with 505(b). The military pressed charges against U Nay Myo Zin who is currently under detention while facing legal proceedings. The military pressed charges against him by both 505 (a) and (b) for conducting public talk about the constitutional amendment and the current political situations in A-Phyouk Township, Yangon. Page - 5