The regime’s Ministry of Information announced on Monday that it has banned four more LGBTQ+ themed books this month and will take action against the authors and publishing houses for violating its revised Printing and Publishing Law.
“These books violate the law, contain shameless, unacceptable, and misleading information that shapes the thinking and feelings of Myanmar youth,” regime media reported on March 10.
The four banned books are titled: Sculpted out of love, Captain’s rose, Beyond love, and My step-mom’s ex becomes my husband. Its authors are Hpoo Ngone Khin, V Vkit, Ta Yaw and Yellowi Sh-one, and all could face the maximum punishment of a fine of up to three million MMK ($681 USD) under the law.
The owner of Keren Publishing House in Kyaukpandaung Township of Mandalay Region, and Ireen Publishing House in Mawlamyine Township of Mon State, also could face legal action for publishing “obscene” content and failing to submit drafts before publication to the ministry.
Pre-publication censorship was abolished in 2012 during the democratic transition under the Thein Sein government. But the law was amended following the 2021 military coup, which critics argue provide inadequate safeguards to protect the printing, publishing and news media from an abuse of power.
The regime has revoked the publishing licenses of at least 15 book publishers, 10 printing services, one magazine, and 15 media outlets, since the 2021 military coup. The ministry also announced that it will continue to monitor printing and publication in Myanmar in accordance with the law.
