NLD Member Charged Under Article 66(d)

By Kaung Myat Min 22 November 2016

PYAY, Pegu Division — Amid growing controversy surrounding Article 66(d) of Burma’s Telecommunications Law, a National League for Democracy (NLD) member was sued under the provision in Pyay Township of Pegu Division.

U Kyaw Kyaw Nyan Win, the press officer of the NLD’s Pyay chapter, was sued by a 100-household administrator (a rank that falls under ward/village administrator) for sharing a post on Facebook that accused the administrator of misappropriating relief aid.

The court hearing for the case was held on Monday after U Maung Maung, the 100-household administrator of Nawin Ward in Pyay Township, filed a complaint at the local police station against U Kyaw Kyaw Nyan Win on Aug. 28.

The Facebook post accused U Maung Maung of misappropriating relief aid and cash donated to flood victims of the ward on Aug. 10.

“He accused me of taking 100,000 kyats and clothes, which I didn’t. So, I sued him,” U Maung Maung told The Irrawaddy.

U Kyaw Kyaw Nyan Win said that he sued because it was his duty as an information officer to inform the public and work within the legal framework.

“I’m not guilty because I did it in the interest of the people. Breaching this provision can’t be punished if it [sharing information online] is done in the interest of people,” U Kyaw Kyaw Nyan Win told The Irrawaddy.

Article 66(d) of Burma’s Telecommunications Law states that anyone found guilty of extorting, coercing, restraining wrongfully, defaming, disturbing, causing undue influence or threatening any person by using any telecommunications network shall be punished with a maximum three years in prison, a fine, or both.