Rohingya News Agency-(thebitbag): A group known as “The Elders” has called on Myanmar President Thein Sein to stop the anti-Muslim oppression and attacks that are prevalent in this formerly military-ruled country. In a three day visit to Myanmar last Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013, the 2EldersMyanmargroup, led by ex-United States President Jimmy Carter and composed of former world leaders, said in a statement that “ The Elders call for an end to impunity for the perpetrators of violence against the Muslim community and for the meaningful realization of the right to freedom of religion.” The group also met with leaders of religious and civil society organizations during the three day sojourn. 3EldersMyanmarOther group members such as the former prime minister of Norway, Gro Harlem Brundtland, who is also the group’s deputy chair (current chair is Kofi Annan, a former Secretary General of the United Nations and a respected Ghanaian diplomat), expressed their fear that it will take many years to get over the “ the ingrained prejudices promoted by extremist voices in parts of the country.” She also stressed that the continuing wave of violent action against the Muslim minority in Rakhine, a western state in Myanmar must “ be halted as a priority.” She added that “No one can afford to ignore these senseless, destructive, repeated acts of brutality.” Since 2011, when the rule of the military ended, the occurrence of violence that is religious in nature has shown the deep scars in Myanmar society that is dominated by a Buddhist majority. Since June last year, there have been approximately 250 fatalities and 140,000 left without homes in the spate of violence that has erupted. In Rakhine, approximately 200 Rohingya Muslims, who were denied citizenship by the Myanmar government, were killed in violent clashes. Human rights organizations have pointed to the security forces of Myanmar as taking part in the violent incidents. They also claim that supposed 4EldersMyanmaranti-Muslim assemblies and riots appear to have been organized and instigated. “The Elders” group was founded in 2007 by Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa and a much respected world leader and Nobel Peace Prize awardee. The group’s primary objective is to work for the attainment of world peace and protection of human rights. Prominent members and past officers include Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the Burmese pro-democracy movement. 5EldersMyanmarThe group not only called on the end to the anti-Muslim violence but also appealed the release of political prisoners in Myanmar. On the other hand, Carter gave credit to the Myanmar government for its reforms and said “ We were impressed by the pace with which reforms are proceeding. Myanmar is becoming a more open society…. The release of political prisoners is particularly encouraging. We trust there will be no political prisoners by the end of the year, as the president has pledged.” The Republic of the Union of Myanmar (commonly referred to as Myanmar and is also known as Burma) is a state in Southeast Asia which holds borders with China, Bangladesh, India, Laos and Thailand.
Posted on: Sat, 28 Sep 2013 08:31:14 +0000
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