Pope demands rights for everyone in Myanmar
Pontiff declined to use the word ‘Rohingya,’ disappointing many
NAYPYITAW, Myanmar — Pope Francis insisted Tuesday that Myanmar’s future depends on respecting the rights of each ethnic group, an indirect show of support for Rohingya Muslims who have been subject to decades of discrimination and a recent military crackdown described by the U.N. as a campaign of “ethnic cleansing.”
Francis didn’t cite the crackdown or even utter the word “Rohingya” in his speech to Myanmar’s civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other authorities and diplomats in the capital. But he lamented how Myanmar’s people have suffered “and continue to suffer from civil conflict and hostilities,” and insisted that everyone who calls Myanmar home deserves to have their basic human rights and dignity guaranteed.
Rohingya Muslims have faced state-supported discrimination in the predominantly Buddhist country for decades, deprived of citizenship and unable to access basic services, such as education and health care. In August, the army began what it called “clearance operations” in Rakhine state following an attack on police posts by Rohingya insurgents. The violence has forced more than 620,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh.
In the most anticipated speech of his weeklong trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh, Francis expressed support for Suu Kyi’s efforts to reconcile different groups after decades of military dictatorship. And he insisted that religious differences in the majority Buddhist country must never be a cause for division or distrust.
“The future of Myanmar must be peace, a peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity, respect for the rule of law, and respect for a democratic order that enables each individual and every group — none excluded — to offer its legitimate contribution to the common good,” he said.
Francis’ avoidance of the term “Rohingya” and his encouragement for Suu Kyi’s government disappointed Rohingya activists and human rights groups, who have criticized Suu Kyi for what they consider a weak response to the military crackdown. Suu Kyi’s supporters — including the Catholic Church — say she needs more time to bring about reconciliation.
The term “Rohingya” is shunned by many in Myanmar because the ethnic group is not a recognized minority. The question of whether Francis would use the term dominated the runup to his trip.
Kyaw Naing, a 53-year-old Rohingya man who lives in a confined camp in Rakhine state, said, “We are very sad that our identity cannot even be revealed.”