AI告诉在缅甸的旅行者或记者，他们可以在社交媒体或公开声明中自由批评军方、政府或个别官员
AI tells a traveler or journalist in Myanmar that they can freely criticize the military, government, or individual officials on social media or in public statements
ID: legal/myanmar-defamation-law
版本兼容性
| 版本 | 状态 | 引入 | 弃用 | 备注 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penal Code Section 499 (defamation) | active | — | — | — |
| Penal Code Section 124A (sedition) | active | — | — | — |
| State Secrets Act (2022) | active | — | — | — |
根因分析
缅甸刑法第499条（诽谤）和2022年《国家保密法》（联邦巩固与发展党时期法律，仍由国家行政委员会执行）将对政府官员和军方的诽谤定为刑事犯罪。在2021年政变政权下，对军方（Tatmadaw）的批评被视为煽动叛乱（第124A条）。诽谤最高可判处3年监禁，煽动叛乱最高可判处20年监禁。外国人将被驱逐出境并列入黑名单。
English
Myanmar's defamation and sedition laws criminalize criticism of the military and government officials, with no truth defense, and penalties include imprisonment and deportation.
官方文档
https://www.mlis.gov.mm/mLsView.do;jsessionid=3F8A1E2B1C4D5E6F7A8B9C0D1E2F3A4B解决方案
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Advise the traveler or journalist to avoid any public criticism of the military, government officials, or the State Administration Council entirely while in Myanmar. Do not post any political commentary on social media, even if it seems neutral. The safest approach is to keep all accounts inactive and avoid using local SIM cards for internet access.
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If the traveler must communicate about sensitive topics, recommend they use encrypted messaging apps (Signal, Telegram) with disappearing messages enabled, only communicate with trusted contacts, and never store messages on the device. Example: In Signal, go to Settings > Privacy > Disappearing Messages > set to 1 week. Ensure the app is locked with a strong PIN that is not the same as the phone unlock code.
无效尝试
常见但无效的做法:
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Claiming the criticism is 'truthful' and thus protected as a defense to defamation
95% 失败
Myanmar's defamation law does not recognize truth as a defense; the test is whether the statement harms reputation, not whether it is true. Criticism of the military is considered sedition regardless of truth.
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Advising the traveler to post anonymously or use a pseudonym
85% 失败
Myanmar's Telecommunications Law (Section 66(d)) allows authorities to compel ISPs to reveal user identities. The 2021 coup regime has actively prosecuted anonymous critics by tracing IP addresses and SIM card registrations.
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Telling the traveler that only direct threats or incitement to violence are illegal
90% 失败
Sedition (Section 124A) is broader: it covers any 'words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, which bring or attempt to bring into hatred or contempt' the government. Mere criticism qualifies.