The release, which included several high-profile prisoners of conscience, comes after recent pressure on the Burmese government from the United States, as well as rights groups Amnesty International and Human…

The release, which included several high-profile prisoners of conscience, comes after recent pressure on the Burmese government from the United States, as well as rights groups Amnesty International and Human…
The case of Phil Blackwood, Tun Thurein and Htut Ko Ko Lwin has highlighted the issue of blasphemy and Buddhism. Buddhist scholar Dr Paul Fuller comments.
Amnesty International describes sentence as “ludicrous”, while International Commission of Jurists question its legal validity.
New Zealander Phil Blackwood, and his Burmese partners Tun Thurein and Htut Ko Ko Lwin are each found guilty of defaming religion.
New Zealander Phil Blackwood tells a Rangoon court he had no intention of insulting the Buddhist religion.
Amnesty International has called on Burma’s authorities to immediately and unconditionally release three restaurant managers charged with insulting the Buddhist religion.