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Myanmar junta officers arrested a Swiss filmmaker and 13 solid members, accusing them of defaming Buddhism in informational movies posted on YouTube, in line with a press release printed by junta-controlled state media.
The Swiss Embassy in Yangon instructed Radio Free Asia on Monday that it has requested Myanmar authorities to make clear the present standing of filmmaker Didier Nusbaumer.
Junta Capt. Than Naing Kyaw and different navy safety members arrested Nusbaumer and 13 others – together with a 12-year-old lady – on Aug. 7, two weeks after a video they produced appeared on YouTube. It was first reported in state media final week.
Nusbaumer, 52, is related to the Phaung Daw Oo Built-in Monastic Schooling College in Mandalay, authorities mentioned. He wrote the screenplay whereas the 12-year-old lady performed the primary character within the story. The opposite solid members additionally got here from the college.
They’re accused of insulting Buddhist cultural traditions and the morals of Buddhist monks, in line with state media. Authorities haven’t specified underneath which regulation they might be prosecuted.
Delicate topic
The movie, titled “Don’t Anticipate Something,” portrays the message that it’s meaningless to worship Buddha pictures or pagodas, and as a substitute it’s necessary to comply with Buddha’s teachings.
The 12-year-old fundamental character makes use of harsh phrases within the movie to explain how the monks benefit from the meals donated by lay individuals daily. The movie portrays her as a reincarnation of a hermit who practiced Buddhist educating in a earlier life.
The movie was posted on YouTube and different social media on July 24.
On Aug. 15, after the 14 individuals had been arrested, the college and charity group wrote to junta officers and the Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee – established by the federal government in 1980 to supervise the Buddhist clergy – asking for his or her launch.
The college wrote that Nusbaumer is a former Buddhist monk on the Phaung Daw Oo monastery, a real believer in Buddhism and didn’t intend to offend the faith. About 90 % of individuals in Myanmar comply with Buddhism.
Junta-controlled newspapers first reported the arrests on Aug. 18.
When contacted by phone by RFA, a monk on the monastery answered that every one the monks have been saddened by the arrests and can’t reply in the mean time.
Due to how delicate faith might be, it’s greatest to keep away from any form of filming which may mislead individuals, mentioned Ashin Thabarwa Nadi, the secretary of the Arakan Monks’ Affiliation.
“On this nation, such a factor may simply trigger spiritual or ethnic riots as a political trick,” he mentioned.
The junta as Buddhism protector
A Mandalay resident who has watched the movie mentioned on the situation of anonymity that arresting a number of individuals for criticizing Buddhism shouldn’t occur.
“Within the movie, he gave the message that we must always stay in line with the teachings of Buddha,” the resident mentioned. “The little lady sending alms to the monastery within the movie mentioned some phrases to the monks, however that’s nothing greater than only a scene within the film.
“However the authorities simply pinpointed that scene and arrested and detained all of them underneath the pretext that they’ve defamed Buddhism,” the resident mentioned. “I feel that ought to not have occurred.”
When RFA contacted Aung San Win, director of the junta’s Ministry of Faith and Tradition, he mentioned he was unaware of the case.
RFA tried to contact the junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun and the junta’s spokesman for the Mandalay area, Thein Htay, however they might not be reached.
It’s doable that the junta made the arrests to make itself look like the protector of the individuals and faith, mentioned Min Thae, a political creator.
“The navy leaders have all the time tried to look like defending Buddhism, attempting to indicate that it needs to be within the political enviornment in Myanmar,” he mentioned. “The junta needs to create a public opinion that it’s defending the nationwide faith, particularly amongst its pro-military individuals.”
Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Matt Reed.
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