Facebook urged to prevent Myanmar army campaign

A Rohingya rights group strengthened its demands Saturday for Facebook to stop the Burmese military from using its platform to recruit members.

It came after Facebook suspended US President Donald Trump's account for inciting violence.

The rights group also urged Facebook to stop Myanmar s military from promoting its businesses on the site -- profits from which help fund genocide_ war crimes and crimes against humanity_ it said.

About 1.2 million Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh in the face of Myanmar s military crackdown and are currently taking temporary shelter in Cox s Bazar_ Bangladesh.

 Donald Trump has been suspended for inciting violence_ but the Burmese military commit violence against civilians every day and are free to use Facebook to recruit soldiers to commit that violence_ said Mark Farmaner_ Director of Burma Campaign UK.

 Military owned companies are allowed to use Facebook to promote products_ the profits from which fund the military and help fund violations of international law_ including genocide of the Rohingya_ he added.

Facebook has faced severe criticism for failing to tackle hate speech against Rohingya and other minorities in Burma_ and has removed some military pages_ including Min Aung Hlaing_ the head of the military_ read a Jan. 9 statement by Burma Campaign UK.

But several military Facebook pages still exist_ including some with an official Facebook blue tick.

Burma Campaign UK asked Facebook to ensure the pages are not used for recruitment_ but no action has been taken_ it said.

The Burmese military has significant economic interests in Burma_ owning companies involved in a wide range of products including beer_ mobile phone networks_ tea_ cement and ballrooms.

There are dozens of pages for the companies that promote their products_ the rights group said_ providing pages of the Burmese military.

Facebook has not acted on Burma Campaign UK requests to remove the pages_ despite a UN report detailing how military-owned companies help fund violations of international law.

 Facebook appears to have double standards_ said Farmaner.  If you incite violence in America you get banned from Facebook_ but if you recruit people to commit violence in Burma you still get an official Facebook blue tick.

According to Amnesty International_ more than 750_000 Rohingya refugees_ mostly women_ and children fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community in August 2017.

Since Aug. 25_ 2017_ nearly 24_000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed by Myanmar s state forces_ according to a report by the Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA).

More than 34_000 Rohingya were thrown into fires_ over 114_000 more were beaten and as many as 18_000 Rohingya women and girls were raped by Myanmar s army and police said the OIDA report_ titled Forced Migration of Rohingya: The Untold Experience.

Over 115_000 Rohingya homes were burned and 113_000 others vandalized_ the report added.