THE ongoing battle against Covid-19 in Myanmar will not be hindered by the government’s shutdown of the internet in troubled Rakhine and Chin states. The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the internet was suspended in the two states because of persistent trouble between the Arakan Army and the military, according to The Myanmar Times. As far as the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic goes, the government, in cooperation with mobile operators, has arranged to disseminate Covid-19 information through mobile SMS services and vocal announcements. It said the internet is critical for access to information and freedom of expression, which enable other fundamental human rights. Internet rights advocates and rights activists criticised the internet blackout in Rakhine and Chin, as it violates the people’s right to information and worsens the humanitarian crisis.

Source: New Strait Times April 12, 2020 04:52 UTC