HUMAN WRONGS WATCH

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 1 November 2015 expressed deep concern at the continuous resort to hate speech, provocation of communal hostilities and the abuse of religion for political purposes, incited by “extreme element among the majority community in Myanmar”.

Soldiers from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, an ethnic armed group, walk near Pahlaing village in Myanmar’s Shan State in September 2015. Photo: Htoo Tay Zar/IRIN

“With the approaching elections on 8 November, he urges all concerned in Myanmar to eschew any kind of pressure, intimidation, dissemination of hatred or violence against individuals or organizations based on their ethnic identity, gender, religious persuasion or political views,” said a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson in New York.