Yangon satirists straining under an avalanche of military-driven charges are boycotting the rest of their court cases.
Peacock Generation troupe poked fun at the army in a satirical play over the Burmese New Year in the spirit of thangyat, a traditional form of poetry and dance set to music that often mocks those in power.
Five of the young performers were handed down a one-year sentence at Yangon’s Mayangone township court on October 30 under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code—which criminalizes statements that might cause military officers to “disregard or fail” in their duties.
The same law was used against them and another member on November 18 at Botahtaung township court, where they were sentenced to one year with hard labour.
The most recent sentence saw four performers again at Mayangone—this time sentenced to six months in prison under Section 66 (d) of the Telecommunication Act for streaming their performance, which the prosecution deemed “online defamation.”
Since the artists performed in various places across Ayeyarwady region, they now face the same charges in numerous cases.
"The military is suing from many different townships. We condemn this kind of action,” troupe member Paing Ye Thu told the judge at Botahtaung township court on December 15, reported 7Day Daily.
“We also condemn the court. Therefore, we will not be co-operating with the judiciary. We politely declare that we are protesting against this.
“We will not be working together, questioning back, nor appealing. We also will not be questioning the prosecution. Let the court do whatever it wants."
The group—along with a seventh member—is facing another online defamation charge in Botahtaung.
Now six members are serving sentences of between one and a half and two and a half years in connection with the performance.
The group has remained defiant in the face of the charges, which they argue are pre-determined in favour of the military.
Kay Khine Tun, 22, a nurse who performs in the group, told journalists outside the courtroom in November “judges are being used by the military as puppets to bully civilians."
