The Ministry of Information has announced that action will be taken against publishing houses and publishers of BL (Boys’ Love) and GL (Girls’ Love) books depicting same-sex romantic relationships, as well as illegal bookstores and Facebook pages selling such books.
The Ministry of Information stated that it is supervising printing and publishing activities in accordance with the 2014 Printing and Publishing Enterprise Law and its rules. In the course of its supervision, it found that nine Facebook pages had violated Section 11(b) of the Printing and Publishing Enterprise Law, which requires publishers of publications printed and published domestically to submit them to the ministry in accordance with prescribed requirements for registration and copyright-related procedures. The pages were also found to have violated Section 15, which prohibits anyone from engaging in printing, publishing or news agency businesses without the relevant business recognition certificate. According to the ministry, the nine pages were also found to be illegal platforms selling BL (Boys’ Love) and GL (Girls’ Love) books depicting same-sex romantic relationships, which it said are inconsistent with Myanmar culture and could mislead young people’s thinking, perceptions and understanding.
The Ministry of Information said it is reviewing and monitoring publications in accordance with the provisions of the Printing and Publishing Enterprise Law. It added that legal proceedings are being taken against publishing houses and publishers who produce publications in violation of the law, as well as bookstores selling illegal publications that do not contain the required printing and publishing records, in accordance with existing laws.
The ministry therefore urged publishing houses, publishers, illegal bookstores and Facebook pages selling BL and GL books to comply with the Printing and Publishing Enterprise Law. It warned that legal action would be taken against those who sell publications in violation of the law.
