VOA慢速英语2021--缅甸士兵用TikTok威胁抗议者

Rights Group: Myanmar Soldiers Use TikTok to Threaten Protesters

A rights group says soldiers and police officers in Myanmar have used the video sharing service TikTok to issue death threats against protesters.

The digital rights group, called Myanmar ICT for Development (MIDO), said it had found more than 800 pro-military videos that threatened demonstrators. The information led TikTok to announce it would remove material that incites¹ violence.

The demonstrations² -- which have continued across Myanmar -- are protesting last month's military takeover of the country. The protests have grown increasingly violent, with a United Nations official saying 38 protesters were killed Wednesday – the highest daily death rate since the takeover happened on February 1.

"Today ... was the bloodiest³ day since the coup⁴ happened," U.N. special envoy⁵ for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, told reporters Wednesday. The official added that more than 50 people had died since the start of the takeover.

Numerous videos of violence were shared online. One showed security forces shooting a person at close range, while others showed protesters being chased and beaten. Soldiers and police officers have also been seen firing rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrators. More than 1,000 people have been arrested, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has reported.

The demonstrations continued on Thursday.

The director of the MIDO group, Htaike Htaike Aung, said her organization had discovered "hundreds" of videos of soldiers in military uniforms on the TikTok app.

Reuters news agency reported it was able to watch more than 12 videos in which uniformed men – sometimes showing guns – threatened to harm protesters. A spokesman for the country's military leadership did not answer a request by Reuters for comment.

One video seen by Reuters reporters showed a man in army clothing aiming a gun at the camera and telling protesters: "I will shoot in your ... faces ... and I'm using real bullets." The man continued: "I am going to patrol the whole city tonight and I will shoot whoever I see... If you want to become a martyr⁶, I will fulfill⁷ your wish."

Reuters was unable to contact the man or other uniformed men appearing in TikTok videos. The news agency was also not able to confirm that the men were members of the armed forces.

In a statement, TikTok said its guidelines do not permit material "that incites violence or misinformation that causes harm." The company said it has been, and will continue, to remove all videos that violate these guidelines. TikTok rules ban the showing of guns unless they are in "safe environments."

Some of the videos had tens of thousands of views. Those seen by Reuters were removed this week.

TikTok had already been growing fast in Myanmar. It saw a strong rise in downloads after the military banned Facebook last month. Industry data shows the app is now among the top 20 most downloaded in Myanmar.

Words in This Story

digital – adj. using or relating to computer technology

coup – n. a sudden attempt by a small group of people, often military members, to seize and takeover the government of a country often involving violence

uniform – n. special clothing that is worn by all members of an organization such as an armed service, police, profession or sports team

app – n. a computer application or program used for a specific purpose

patrol – v. to look for trouble or danger around an area or building

martyr – n. someone who dies for their beliefs

1 incites   

刺激，激励，煽动( incite的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• In all countries any person who incites others to insurrection is guilty of treason. 在任何国家里，煽动他人谋反者，都属犯叛国罪。
• The success of the handicapped man incites us to pursue our dreams. 这位残疾人的成功激励我们追求自己的梦想。

2 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

3 bloodiest   

adj.血污的( bloody的最高级 )；流血的；屠杀的；残忍的

参考例句：

• The Russians were going to suffer their bloodiest defeat of all before Berlin. 俄国人在柏林城下要遭到他们的最惨重的失败。 来自辞典例句
• It was perhaps the bloodiest hour in the history of warfare. 这也许是战争史上血腥味最浓的1个小时。 来自互联网

4 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

5 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。

6 martyr   

n.烈士，殉难者；vt.杀害，折磨，牺牲

参考例句：

• The martyr laid down his life for the cause of national independence.这位烈士是为了民族独立的事业而献身的。
• The newspaper carried the martyr's photo framed in black.报上登载了框有黑边的烈士遗像。

7 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。