Myanmar’s President has ordered state and regional governments to encourage government employees to participate in anti-hate speech activities amid a rise in social media comments accusing certain groups of spreading COVID-19. The order, signed by the permanent secretary of the President’s Office, states that everyone has the right to be treated with respect and to live without fear of violence, intimidation or discrimination based on group identity or personal characteristics. Warning that the spread of hate speech could lead to discrimination and violence within communities and affect social harmony, the President’s Office ordered all ministries and their agencies, departments and offices to encourage all of their personnel to participate in and support anti-hate speech activities.

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