UNITED NATIONS: The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed outrage at a two-year prison sentence handed down to writer U Htin Lin Oo on charges of insulting religion.

`We urge the authorities to release U Htin Lin Oo unconditionally and to take all necessary measures to ensure that those who conduct peaceful advocacy, legitimately exercising their rights to freedom of expression and opinion, do not face reprisals,` said OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani during a press briefing in Geneva.

U Htin Lin Oo, a former official at the National League for Democracy party, was sentenced to two years in jail and hard labour on Tuesday for a speech meant to discourage Buddhist extremism.

`U Htin Lin Oo courageously spoke out against the use of Buddhism as a tool for extremism. His treatment and conviction are in stark contrast to the treatment of those in Myanmar who are clearly inciting violence against minority communities, particularly the Rohingya`, Ms Shamdasani added.