• Burmese
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
28 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Artists Freed After Anti-Buddhist Claims Dropped Against COVID-19 Mural in Myanmar

Zaw Zaw Htwe by Zaw Zaw Htwe
July 17, 2020
in Burma
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
The COVID-19 awareness mural that offended some Buddhists. / Naw Htun Aung

The COVID-19 awareness mural that offended some Buddhists. / Naw Htun Aung

4.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Yangon – Three artists in Myanmar’s Kachin State charged with offending Buddhism in a COVID-19 awareness street mural were freed by the township court in the state capital, Myitkyina, on July 17.

They painted murals in Myitkyina’s streets to raise coronavirus awareness in late March.

One mural showed the Grim Reaper wearing red robes, spreading coronavirus while three medics try to save the planet.

RelatedPosts

China is Systematically Dismantling Tibetan Monastic Traditions

China is Systematically Dismantling Tibetan Monastic Traditions

June 16, 2025
1.5k
Civilians Trapped in Fighting Near Myanmar’s Jade Mining Hub

Civilians Trapped in Fighting Near Myanmar’s Jade Mining Hub

May 29, 2025
892
Drone Strike Destroys Myanmar Junta’s Crash-Landed Aircraft

Drone Strike Destroys Myanmar Junta’s Crash-Landed Aircraft

May 22, 2025
2.3k

In early April, pictures of the mural spread on social media, sparking criticism that the figure looked like a Buddhist monk.

Ko Naw Htun Aung, director of Kachinland Research Center, Cecilia Ja Seng and Ko Zayar Hnaung faced charges filed by the deputy director of the state’s Religious Office under Article 295(a) of the Penal Code on April 3.

The law states that deliberate and malicious attempts to spark outrage among any religious group through words, pictures or insults can result in up to two years in prison.

The three were freed after more than 12 court hearings over three months.

According to their lawyer, Daw Doi Bu, the charges were dropped after the three managed to prove the Grim Reaper carrying a pot was not supposed to be a Buddhist monk.

“The judge made a fair decision in our case,” said Daw Doi Bu.

Ko Naw Htun Aung, who organized the street art to raise COVID-19 awareness, told The Irrawaddy that they welcomed the decision.

The mural was painted over on April 3.

Artist Ko Zayar Hnaung explained that the skeleton wearing red robes and holding a pot filled with the virus was supposed to the personification of death.

You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Military Claims its Investigators Attacked in Shan State

Shwedagon Monks Say Buddha Statue Resembling Myanmar Dictator Doesn’t Violate Scripture

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Buddhismfreedom of speechKachin StateKo Naw Htun AungKo Zayar HnaungReligion
Zaw Zaw Htwe

Zaw Zaw Htwe

The Irrawaddy

Similar Picks:

China-Backed Illegal Rare Earth Mining Surging in Northern Myanmar
Burma

China-Backed Illegal Rare Earth Mining Surging in Northern Myanmar

by Yan Naing
July 15, 2022
34.7k

A Myanmar military-backed militia in Kachin State is protecting Chinese-run mines that produce coveted rare earth minerals used in hi-tech...

Read moreDetails
‘Midnight Massacre’ at IDP Camp in Myanmar a War Crime: KIA
Burma

‘Midnight Massacre’ at IDP Camp in Myanmar a War Crime: KIA

by The Irrawaddy
October 10, 2023
18.8k

Death toll expected to rise after bombs obliterated village for internally displaced persons in Kachin State shortly before midnight on...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Troops Escape to China After KIA Attack
Burma

Myanmar Junta Troops Escape to China After KIA Attack

by Saw Reh
January 23, 2024
14.2k

The Kachin Independence Army says it seized around 30 regime soldiers in Mansi Township along the Chinese border. 

Read moreDetails
Unholy Alliance: Myanmar’s Mercedes Monks and the Men in Green
Commentary

Unholy Alliance: Myanmar’s Mercedes Monks and the Men in Green

by Aung Zaw
June 7, 2024
12.9k

Myanmar’s monks once led the fight against colonialism and dictatorship. Today, many prefer to collect fancy cars in return for...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Military Loses Historic Outpost on Road to China in Kachin State
Burma

Myanmar Military Loses Historic Outpost on Road to China in Kachin State

by Hein Htoo Zan
April 1, 2024
11k

After more than 60 years of operation, the key junta outpost on the road linking Bhamo to the border with...

Read moreDetails
KIA Seizes Final Border Force HQ Despite Chinese Pressure
War Against the Junta

KIA Seizes Final Border Force HQ Despite Chinese Pressure

by The Irrawaddy
November 1, 2024
10.6k

The Kachin Independence Army has defeated all three Border Guard Force battalion headquarters along the Chinese frontier in Kachin State....

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Troops march at the Myanmar Armed Forces Day Parade in March 2019. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

Will Outlawing of Polling Stations on Military Bases Change Myanmar’s Electoral Landscape?

The Irrawaddy dolphin in the Irrawaddy during February’s survey. / WCS Myanmar

Myanmar Conservationists Slam Moves for Endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin’s Captive Breeding

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

China is Systematically Dismantling Tibetan Monastic Traditions

China is Systematically Dismantling Tibetan Monastic Traditions

2 days ago
1.5k
China’s Bet on Myanmar Junta Risks Backfiring

China’s Bet on Myanmar Junta Risks Backfiring

1 day ago
1.4k

Most Read

  • Timeline: Key Events in the Life of Myanmar’s Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

    Updated Timeline: Key Events in the Life of Myanmar’s Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Attacks to Reclaim KIA’s Jade and Rare Earth Strongholds

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • China’s Bet on Myanmar Junta Risks Backfiring

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • China is Systematically Dismantling Tibetan Monastic Traditions

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Israel-Iran Conflict: Latest Developments

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.