[Annotated] How powerful people use criminal-defamation laws to silence their critics

In some countries, insulting politicians can lead to jail

In October 2015, a month before the election that returned Myanmar to a form of civilian rule, a Burmese^[각주:1] writer named Maung Saungkha posted a poem on his Facebook page: "On my manhood^[각주:2] rests^[각주:3] a tattooed^[각주:4]/portrait of Mr President/ My beloved^[각주:5] found that out/After we wed^[각주:6]/She was gutted^[각주:7]/Inconsolable^[각주:8]." He was found guilty of defaming^[각주:9] Thein Sein, then Myanmar's president, and sentenced to^[각주:10] six months in prison. Mr Thein Sein had suffered no material damage^[각주:11]. He served out his term^[각주:12] in office without anyone mistaking him for a penis tattoo. But Mr Maung Saungkha believes that in the run-up to^[각주:13] the election the government was aiming to "spread fear^[각주:14], curtail^[각주:15] freedom of speech and silence^[각주:16] activists^[각주:17]".

Governments pursuing such goals have many options. They can press blasphemy^[각주:18] laws into service^[각주:19], as those of Indonesia, Pakistan and dozens of other countries do. They can twist^[각주:20] the media to their will. In Russia Vladimir Putin and his cronies^[각주:21] control the main television-news stations. Or they can simply ban speech they dislike^[각주:22]. In China and Vietnam independent bloggers are often arrested. Three Lao citizens recently received long jail terms^[각주:23] for violating a decree^[각주:24] forbidding online criticism of the government or ruling party^[각주:25].

All these approaches attract^[각주:26] international criticism. So some governments turn instead to defamation laws. Defamation is recognized almost everywhere as grounds for^[각주:27] a civil claim, in which subjects of wanton^[각주:28] and damaging^[각주:29] falsehoods^[각주:30] can demand financial compensation^[각주:31]. But when defamation is a criminal offence^[각주:32], governments can go beyond fining critics^[각주:33] who have caused demonstrable^[각주:34] harm, and imprison^[각주:35] them simply for speaking^[각주:36]. Though several countries have recently decriminalized^[각주:37] defamation, many more still prosecute^[각주:38] it zealously^[각주:39]. And even where it can no longer lead to jail, charges can stifle criticism^[각주:40] if courts award^[각주:41] vast damages^[각주:42].

To Know, to utter^[각주:43] and to argue

The American constitution's first amendment^[각주:44] grants^[각주:45] strong protection to speech, especially criticism and insults aimed at public figures^[각주:46]. But in most of Asia, and much of Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, defamation is in some circumstances^[각주:47] a crime, as it is in Canada and 23 members of the European Union. Between 2009 and 2014 at least 15 EU countries sentenced journalists to^[각주:48] criminal penalties^[각주:49], including fines and jail, for insults and defamation. 

Criminal-defamation laws come in many forms. Thailand prohibits^[각주:50] even the slightest criticism of its king, who is believed to be semi-divine^[각주:51]. Serajeddin Mirdamadi, a journalist in Iran, is serving a six-year prison sentence for what was deemed^[각주:52] "propaganda against^[각주:53] the state". In Morocco three years ago a 17-year-old was sentenced to three months in jail for rap lyrics about police corruption that were deemed to "harm public morality^[각주:54]" and "offend a state institution^[각주:55]". Moroccans can also be imprisoned for "any offence" directed at^[각주:56] the royal family^[각주:57] or "inciting prejudice against^[각주:58] territorial integrity^[각주:59]" - a charge aimed at critics of Morocco's disputed claim of sovereignty over Western Sahara.

It takes bravery^[각주:60] to speak out against the government in a country with such laws. In Cambodia, for instance, on way that the prime minister, Hun Sen, has held onto power^[각주:61] since 1985 has been by using defamation laws against his opponents, most notably^[각주:62] Sam Rainsy, one of the founders of the main opposition party^[각주:63]. Since he fled to^[각주:64] France in 2015 to avoid arrest in one defamation case, Mr Sam Rainsy has been convicted^[각주:65] in absentia^[각주:66] in two others, both of which attracted jail sentences^[각주:67].

Mr Hun Sen also targets ordinary citizens with defamation suits. Ou Virak, a political analyst^[각주:68], faces charges for^[각주:69] a remark made during a radio programme. Five human-rights activists were detained for^[각주:70] more than a year over charges stemming from^[각주:71] leaked recordings that allegedly^[각주:72] captured flirtatious^[각주:73] remarks between another opposition politicians and his hairdresser. A spokesman for Mr Hun Sen's party said that Mr Ou Virak had claimed the affair was concocted by^[각주:74] the party to smear an opponent^[각주:75]. The party filed a criminal-defamation complaint against him, demanding around 400m riel^[각주:76] ($100,000) in damages^[각주:77].

"Face-saving^[각주:78] is really important," says Mr Ou Virak. "If you criticize the government, they take it personally." He has struggled to find a lawyer: opposing a despot^[각주:79] is not a good career move^[각주:80].

In civil defamation cases, plaintiffs^[각주:81] must show they were materially^[각주:82] harmed by someone else's words; for example, malicious^[각주:83] rumors spread by a business rival^[각주:84] to destroy a company; or a criminal record^[각주:85] invented by an ex-lover to destroy a career. The court will decide on^[각주:86] suitable recompense^[각주:87]. Under criminal-defamation laws, insults themselves are illegal, never mind whether they caused any harm.

In May a Burmese^[각주:88] woman was sentenced to six months in jail for sharing Facebook posts deemed insulting to Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's de facto^[각주:89] leader, under a law that criminalizes^[각주:90] "defaming, disturbing [or] threatening... any person by using any Telecommunications Network". At least 65 people have been charged under it since Ms Suu Kyi's government took power^[각주:91]. Between 2013 and 2015 the army-backed government that passed the law used it just seven times. Even an accusation^[각주:92] usually means jail, because defamation is not a bailable^[각주:93] offence^[각주:94]. On July 7th Myanmar's parliament published modest^[각주:95] amendments^[각주:96] that would make defamation bailable and ban third-party suits. But their passage is uncertain, and activists argue that the law is so pernicious^[각주:97] it should be revoked^[각주:98] altogether.

Thailand's lese-majeste law^[각주:99] is possibly the strictest criminal-defamation law anywhere. The current version states that "the King shall be enthroned in^[각주:100] a position of revered^[각주:101] worship and shall not be violated. No person shall expose the King to any sort of accusation or action." Anyone who "defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir-apparent^[각주:102] or the regent^[각주:103]" can be imprisoned for up to^[각주:104] 15 years. The government, which seized power in^[각주:105] 2014 and delayed an election planned for this year, has charged at least 77 people with lese-majeste, 22 with sedition^[각주:106] and 120 for violating an order forbidding public discussion of^[각주:107] a proposed referendum to^[각주:108] give it more power. Virtually^[각주:109] all have been convicted, many in military courts.

A broadly drawn criminal-defamation law is a weapon that can be wielded^[각주:110], not just by the government, but by anyone thin-skinned^[각주:111] who has enough money to hire a lawyer. In 2008 a hospital in Indonesia misdiagnosed a woman as^[각주:112] having dengue^[각주:113] when she actually had mumps^[각주:114]; after an e-mail she had written to friends complaining about the misdiagnosis was circulated on^[각주:115] social media, doctors at the hospital filed a defamation complaint against^[각주:116] her. She was acquitted^[각주:117] only after more than a year and two criminal trials^[각주:118]. 

In Thailand last March a mining company filed charges against^[각주:119] four journalists for reporting on environmental harms allegedly caused by a mine it manages in Myanmar. (The case was eventually dismissed^[각주:120].) A journalist working for^[각주:121] the BBC could be imprisoned for five years if he is convicted on a charge of criminal defamation filed by a Thai lawyer who was unhappy with his reporting. In 2014 a journalist in Greece was sentenced to three months in prison for criticizing a school director's^[각주:122] political views^[각주:123]; two years later an aggrieved^[각주:124] Greek businessman brought charges against^[각주:125] another journalist that resulted in a 26-month prison sentence. (It was overturned^[각주:126] on appeal^[각주:127].) 

Large fines for those guilty of defamation are yet another way to chill free speech^[각주:128]. Government officials in Singapore have sued and bankrupted critics for^[각주:129] statements that politicians in many other places would have disputed^[각주:130], laughed off^[각주:131] or simply ignored. Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founder, all but^[각주:132] admitted to using^[각주:133] defamation suits this way. "If we had considered them serious political figures^[각주:134], we would not have kept them politically alive^[각주:135] for so long," he said in 2003 of two opposition politicians. "We could have bankrupted them earlier."

Agnes Callamard, a former UN special rapporteur^[각주:136] on freedom of expression, spies^[각주:137] a welcome^[각주:138] global trend toward decriminalizing defamation. In recent years Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico and Zimbabwe have repealed their laws. India is considering doing so. But too often progress is more on paper than in reality^[각주:139]. Cambodia has removed jail time for^[각주:140] defamation convictions^[각주:141], but it remains for failure to pay court-ordered fines, which can turn an award of hefty damages into^[각주:142] de facto imprisonment^[각주:143]. So it remains easy for the government to mute its critics^[각주:144]. "They had to pick on someone to^[각주:145] make an example of," says Mr Ou Virak. "And I said the first thing."

1. Burmese ; [형용사] 버마의 ;; US·UK [bərmí:z,-mí:s] [본문으로]
2. manhood ; (참고: womanhood) 1. [U] (남자) 성인[어른](인 상태・기간) [본문으로]
3. rest ; 3. BE LEFT | (문제가 논의・처리되지 않고) 그대로[그냥] 있다 [본문으로]
4. tattoo ; [타동사][VN] ~ A on B | ~ B (with A) 문신을 새기다 [본문으로]
5. beloved ; [명사] (옛글투 또는 문예체) 대단히 사랑하는 사람, 연인 [본문으로]
6. wed ; [동사] (진행형으로는 쓰이지 않음, 구식어 또는 신문 용어) 또는 wed・ded , wed・ded , wed , wed 혼인[결혼]하다 [본문으로]
7. gutted ; [형용사] [명사 앞에는 안 씀] (英 비격식) (기분이) 처참한 [본문으로]
8. inconsolable ; [형용사] (또한 un・con・sol・able) 슬픔을 가눌 수 없는 ;; US [|ɪnkən|soʊləbl] UK [|ɪnkən|səʊləbl] [본문으로]
9. defame ; [타동사][VN] (격식) (사람을) 헐뜯다[중상하다] [본문으로]
10. be sentenced to ; ~형을 받다. [본문으로]
11. material damage ; 물질적 손해 [본문으로]
12. serve out ; 1. (특히 형기·근무 기간 등을) 다 채우다 [본문으로]
13. run-up ; (英) 1. (드물게 |run-in) ~ (to sth) (중요 행사의) 준비[준비 기간] [본문으로]
14. aim to do ; ~하는 것을 목표로 하다 [본문으로]
15. curtail ; [타동사][VN] (격식) 축소[삭감/단축]시키다 ;; US [k3:r|teɪl] UK [k3:|teɪl] [본문으로]
16. silence ; 2. (반대 의견을 말하지 못하도록) 침묵시키다 [본문으로]
17. activist ; [명사] (정치・사회 운동) 운동가, 활동가 [본문으로]
18. blasphemy ; [U , C] (pl. -ies) 신성 모독 [본문으로]
19. press sb/sth into service ; (예상 밖의 필요에 의해 훈련받지 않은 사람 등을) 동원[이용]하다 [본문으로]
20. twist ; 10. FACTS | [타동사][VN] (사실 따위를) 왜곡하다 [본문으로]
21. crony ; (pl. -ies) [주로 복수로] (흔히 못마땅함) (많은 시간을 함께 보내는) 친구 [본문으로]
22. dislike ; (비교적 격식) 싫어하다 [본문으로]
23. jail term ; [명사] 형기 [본문으로]
24. decree ; 1. [C , U] 법령, 칙령 [본문으로]
25. ruling party ; [명사] 제1당, 여당 [본문으로]
26. attract ; 3. (어떤 반응을) 불러일으키다[끌다] [본문으로]
27. ground ; 8. GOOD REASON | [C] [주로 복수로] ~ for sth/for doing sth ~의 (타당한 또는 진짜) 이유 [본문으로]
28. wanton ; (격식) 1. [주로 명사 앞에 씀] (파괴・위해 행위가) 타당한 이유 없이 고의적인[악의적인] ;; US [|wɑ:ntən;|wɔ:n-] UK [|wɒntən] [본문으로]
29. damaging ; [형용사] ~ (to sb/sth) 손상[피해/훼손/악영향]을 주는, 해로운 [본문으로]
30. falsehood ; 2. [C] 거짓말 [본문으로]
31. financial compensation ; 배상액, 재정적 보상 [본문으로]
32. criminal offence ; 형사상 범죄 [본문으로]
33. fine ; [흔히 수동태로] ~ sb (sth) (for sth/for doing sth) 벌금을 물리다[부과하다] [본문으로]
34. demonstrable ; [형용사] (격식) 보여줄[입증할] 수 있는 ;; US [dɪ|mɑ:nstrəbl] UK [dɪ|mɒnstrəbl;英또한|demənstrəbl] [본문으로]
35. imprison ; [타동사][VN] [흔히 수동태로] 투옥하다, 감금하다 [본문으로]
36. speaking ; [U] 1. 말하기, 이야기하기; 담화, 연설 [본문으로]
37. decriminalize ; [타동사][VN] (법을 개정하여 무엇을) 기소[처벌] 대상에서 제외시키다 [본문으로]
38. prosecute ; 1. ~ (sb) (for sth/doing sth) 기소[고발/소추]하다 [본문으로]
39. zealously ; [부사] 열심히, 열광적으로 [본문으로]
40. stifle ; 1. [타동사][VN] (감정 등을) 억누르다, 억압하다 [본문으로]
41. award ; [동사] 수여하다; 수여[지급] 판정을 내리다 [본문으로]
42. damage ; 3. [pl.] damages 손해 배상금 [본문으로]
43. utter ; [타동사][VN] (격식) (입으로 어떤 소리를) 내다; (말을) 하다 [본문으로]
44. First Amendment ; [명사] (미국 헌법) 수정 제1조(언론・종교・집회의 자유를 정한 조항) [본문으로]
45. grant ; 1. [흔히 수동태로] ~ sth (to sb/sth) | ~ (sb) sth (특히 공식적・법적으로) 승인[허락]하다 [본문으로]
46. public figure ; 유명 인사, 공인(公人) [본문으로]
47. circumstances ; [명사] 사정, 상황 [본문으로]
48. sentence ; [흔히 수동태로] ~ sb (to sth) (형을) 선고하다 [본문으로]
49. criminal penalties ; 형사적제재, 형사처벌 [본문으로]
50. prohibit ; [~ sth | ~ sb from doing sth], (격식) 1. [흔히 수동태로] (특히 법으로) 금하다[금지하다] [본문으로]
51. semi-divine ; [형용사] 반신성(神聖)한, 반신(半神)의 [본문으로]
52. deem ; [동사] (보통 진행형으로는 쓰이지 않음) (격식) (…로) 여기다[생각하다] [본문으로]
53. propaganda against ; …에 반대하는 선전. [본문으로]
54. public morality ; 사회 도덕, 공중 도덕 [본문으로]
55. state institution ; 국가 기관 [본문으로]
56. direct at ; …을 겨냥하다. [본문으로]
57. royal family ; 왕실, 황족, 왕가 [본문으로]
58. incite ; [동사] ~ sb (to sth) | ~ sth 선동[조장]하다 [본문으로]
59. territorial integrity ; 영토 보전, 국토 보전 [본문으로]
60. bravery ; 1. 용감(성)(opp. cowardice; cf. COURAGE) [본문으로]
61. hold onto power ; …에 매달리다, 꼭 잡다(=seize and cling to). [본문으로]
62. notably ; 1. 특히 [본문으로]
63. opposition party ; [명사] 야당. [본문으로]
64. flee to ; …로 달아나다, 피난가다 [본문으로]
65. be convicted of ; 유죄 판결을 받다 [본문으로]
66. in absentia ; [부사] (라틴어에서) 부재중에 ;; US·UK [|ɪnӕb|senʃiə] [본문으로]
67. jail sentence ; [명사] 징역형 [본문으로]
68. political analyst ; 정론가(정치평론가) [본문으로]
69. face a charge of/for ; 혐의를 받다 [본문으로]
70. detain ; 1. (경찰서・교도소 ・병원 등에) 구금[억류]하다 [본문으로]
71. stem from ; [동사] …에 기인하다, …에 유래하다. ;; 동의어 originate in, emanate from. [본문으로]
72. allegedly ; [부사] 주장한[전해진] 바에 의하면, 이른바 [본문으로]
73. flirtatious ; [형용사] (또한 비격식 flirty) 추파를 던지는 ;; US [fl3:r|teɪʃəs] UK [fl3:|teɪʃəs] [본문으로]
74. concoct ; 2. (이야기・변명 등을) 지어내다 [본문으로]
75. smear ; 3. [타동사][VN] 중상[비방]하다 [본문으로]
76. riel ; [명사] 릴 ((캄보디아의 화폐 단위; = 100 sen)) ;; US [rí:l,riél] UK [rí:əl] [본문으로]
77. in damages ; 피해 보상금으로. [본문으로]
78. face-saving ; [형용사] (명사 앞에만 씀) 체면을 세우기 위한 [본문으로]
79. despot ; [명사] 폭군 US [|despɑ:t] UK [|despɒt] [본문으로]
80. career move ; [명사] 직업 전환, 전직 [본문으로]
81. plaintiff ; [명사] (英 드물게 com・plain・ant) (법률) (민사 소송의) 원고, 고소인 ;; 참고 defendant [본문으로]
82. materially ; 2. 물질[유형]적으로, 구체적으로; 육체적으로(opp. spiritually) [본문으로]
83. malicious ; [형용사] 악의적인, 적의 있는 [본문으로]
84. business rival ; [명사] 사업적 경쟁사 [본문으로]
85. criminal record ; 전과 [본문으로]
86. decide on ; (여러 가지 가능성 가운데) ~으로 결정하다, …으로 정하다(=choose in favor of). [본문으로]
87. recompense ; [U] ~ (for sth/sb) (격식) 보상, 배상(보통 돈) ;; US.UK [|rekəmpens] [본문으로]
88. Burmese ; [형용사] 버마의 ;; US·UK [bərmí:z,-mí:s] [본문으로]
89. de facto ; [형용사] (주로 명사 앞에 씀) (라틴어에서 격식) (법적으로는 받아들여지지 않더라도) 사실상의[실질적인] [본문으로]
90. criminalize ; [vn] 1. (새로운 법을 통과시켜 무엇을) 불법화하다 [본문으로]
91. take power ; 정권을 잡다 [본문으로]
92. accusation ; [C , U] ~ (of sth) (against sb) | ~ (that…) 혐의 (제기), 비난; 고발, 기소 [본문으로]
93. bailable ; [형용사] 보석시킬 수 있는 <죄·사람 등> [본문으로]
94. offence ; 1. [C] ~ (against sb/sth) 위법[범법] 행위, 범죄 [본문으로]
95. modest ; 1. (크기・가격・중요성 등이) 그다지 대단하지는 않은, 보통의 [본문으로]
96. amendment ; 1. [C , U] ~ (to sth) (법 등의) 개정[수정] [본문으로]
97. pernicious ; [형용사] (격식) 치명적인(특히 그 영향이 서서히 알아차리기 힘들게 진행되는 경우) [본문으로]
98. revoke ; [타동사][VN] (격식) 폐지[철회/취소]하다 [본문으로]
99. lese-majeste ; [명사] 동의어 LESE MAJESTY ;; (법률) 불경죄(不敬罪), 대역죄(high treason) ; (전통적 관습·신앙 따위에 대한)모독(冒瀆). [본문으로]
100. enthrone ; [타동사][VN] [주로 수동태로] (즉위식이나 주교 취임식에서) 왕좌[자리]에 앉히다 [본문으로]
101. revered ; 존경받는 [본문으로]
102. heir-apparent ; (pl. heirs apparent), [~ (to sth)] 1. 법정 추정 상속인 2. (직책의) 예상 후계자 [본문으로]
103. regent ; [명사] 섭정(을 하는 사람) ;; US·UK [|ri:dƷənt] [본문으로]
104. imprison ; [타동사][VN] [흔히 수동태로] 투옥하다, 감금하다 [본문으로]
105. seize power ; 권력을 잡다, ~을 장악하다 [본문으로]
106. sedition ; [U] (격식) 폭동 선동, 난동 교사 ;; US.UK [sɪ|dɪʃn] [본문으로]
107. forbid ; (for・bade / fə'bӕd ; fə'beId ; 美 fər'b- / for・bid・den / fə'bIdn ; 美 fər'b- /) 1. ~ sb (from doing sth) 금(지)하다 [본문으로]
108. referendum ; [C , U] (pl. ref・er・en・dums 또는 ref・er・enda) ~ (on sth) 국민 투표, 총선거 [본문으로]
109. virtually ; 1. 사실상, 거의 [본문으로]
110. wield ; [vn] 1. (권력・권위 등을) 행사하다 [본문으로]
111. thin-skinned ; 1. (비판・모욕에) 민감한 [본문으로]
112. misdiagnose ; [타동사][VN] ~ sth (as sth) (질병・문제를) 오진하다 [본문으로]
113. dengue ; [명사] (또한 |dengue fever , |breakbone fever) 뎅기열(모기를 통해 감염되는 열대 전염병의 하나) ;; US·UK [|deŋgi] [본문으로]
114. mumps ; [U] 볼거리, 유행성 이하선염 ;; US.UK [mʌmps] [본문으로]
115. circulate ; 2. (소문 등이[을]) 유포되다[유포하다] [본문으로]
116. file a complaint against ; ...를 고소하다. [본문으로]
117. acquit ; (-tt-), [vn] 1. ~ sb (of sth) 무죄를 선고하다 [본문으로]
118. criminal trial ; 형사사건 재판, 형사 재판 [본문으로]
119. file charges against sb ; …를 고소하다. [본문으로]
120. dismiss ; 5. (법률) (보통 증거 불충분으로 재판・소송을) 기각하다 [본문으로]
121. work for ; …에 고용되다, …에서 일하다. [본문으로]
122. school director ; 교장, 교육기관장 [본문으로]
123. political view ; 정치관 [본문으로]
124. aggrieved ; 1. ~ (at/by sth) 분개한, 억울해 하는 2. (법률) (부당한 처사로) 피해를 입은[호소하는] [본문으로]
125. bring/press/prefer charges against sb; ~를 기소하다 [본문으로]
126. overturn ; 2. [타동사][VN] (판결 등을) 뒤집다[번복시키다] [본문으로]
127. trial on appeal ; (법률) 항소심, 상고심(上告審) ;; 법원의 재판(심판)은 그 주체와 절차에 따라 크게 판결(判決), 결정(決定), 명령(命令)으로 나뉜다. '판결'은 재판중에서 가장 중요하고 핵심적인 법원의 의사표시이며, '결정'이나 '명령'은 주로 그 중요성이 경미한 사건에 관련된다. ■ 항소(抗訴) 지방법원의 제1심 종국판결에 대하여 제2심 법원에 하는 불복신청. 판결송달이 있은 날부터 1주일(형사소송), 2주일(민사소송) 내에 제1심 법원에 항소장을 제출함으로써 이루어진다. 지방법원 단독부가 내린 종국판결에 대해서는 지방법원 본원합의부, 지방법원 합의부의 종국판결에 대해서는 고등법원이 항소법원이 된다. ■ 상고(上告) '판결'에 대해 대법원에 상소하는 것을 말한다. 상고는 원칙적으로 제2심 판결에 대하여 허용된다. 하지만 예외적으로 민사 또는 형사소송에 있어서 제1심 판결이 법령에 위반된 것을 이유로 고등법원에 항소를 하지 않고 직접 상고법원인 대법원에 상소하는 것이 인정되는 비약상고(飛躍上告)가 있다. ■ 항고(抗告) '판결' 이외의 재판인 '결정'이나 '명령'에 대한 상소를 말한다. 제1심의 결과가 결정 또는 명령이며 그에 대한 불복으로 상급법원에 제2심을 신청하면 항고가 되는 것이다. ■ 상소(上訴) 위의 내용을 포괄하는 것으로 미확정인 재판에 대하여 상급법원에 불복을신청하는 것을 말한다. 상소제도의 주목적은 오판을 시정할 수 있는 기회를 주어 소송당사자의 이익보호에 충실을 기함과 동시에 법령 적용과 해석의 통일을 기하자는 것이다. [네이버 지식백과] 항소/상고/항고/상소 (시사상식사전, 박문각) [본문으로]
128. chill ; 1. [타동사][VN] [주로 수동태로] 아주 춥게 만들다 ;; 흐름상 "억제하다, 막다, 방해하다,억압하다" 정도의 의미 [본문으로]
129. bankrupt ; [타동사][VN] 파산시키다 [본문으로]
130. dispute ; 1. 반박하다, 이의를 제기하다 [본문으로]
131. laugh off[away] (a request) ; 웃어넘기다 [본문으로]
132. all but ; 1. 거의 [본문으로]
133. admit to (~ing) ; ~라는 것을 인정하다 ;; to say that you have done something wrong or illegal [본문으로]
134. political figure ; [명사] 정치인, 정치적 인물. ;; 동의어 politician. [본문으로]
135. keep (sth) alive ; 살아 있다, 살려 두다 [본문으로]
136. special rapporteur ;; An individual who works on behalf of a regional or international organization and is charged with investigating, monitoring and recommending solutions to specific human rights problems. ;; UN special rapporteur ; 유엔 인권 특별 조사 위원 [본문으로]
137. spy ; 2. [타동사][VN] (문예체 또는 격식) (갑자기) 보다[알아채다] [본문으로]
138. welcome ; 1. 반가운 [본문으로]
139. in reality ; 사실은[실제로는] [본문으로]
140. jail time ; 징역형 [본문으로]
141. conviction ; 1. [C , U] ~ (for sth) 유죄 선고[판결] [본문으로]
142. hefty ; (heft・ier , hefti・est) 3. 센, 강한 [본문으로]
143. imprisonment ; 1. 투옥, 구금, 금고; [법] 자유형(自由刑) 2. 강제적 구속, 감금, 유폐 [본문으로]
144. mute ; 2. 약화[완화]하다 [본문으로]
145. pick on ; [동사] 비난하다, 혹평하다; 괴롭히다, 집적거리다; 선택하다. ;; 동의어 blame, criticize; harass, tease; choose. [본문으로]