Plight of Muslims in Myanmar still a cause of concern

The plight of Muslims in Myanmar remains a cause of concern despite a lull in violence in the country. Ethnic tensions and mistrust continue to pervade Myanmar's society as the underlying causes of the strife are not addressed by authorities.

Myanmar's new era of parliamentary democracy started with the polls in November 2010, which were won by the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). The elections theoretically put an end to 48 years of military rule, and the subsequent policies of reform-minded President Thein Sein brought the once-pariah state Myanmar back into the international fold.

Western democracies dropped their economic sanctions on Myanmar last year, prompting a whirlwind of visits by world leaders, aid agencies, businessmen and tourists.

But enthusiasm for the new Myanmar has soon been dampened by the outbreak of sectarian violence, first in the Rakhine state last year, claiming 167 mostly Muslim dead, and again this year when three anti-Muslim riots in central and northern Myanmar left about 50 Muslims killed.

Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist country, has not experienced such serious religious violence since its brief fling with democracy under elected prime minister U Nu, who ruled between 1949 to 1962.

Military strongman General New Win, who overthrew U Nu in a coup in 1962, brooked no dissent, religious or secular, during his iron-fisted rule until 1988. The juntas that ruled between 1988 to 2010 also kept a tight lid on any sign of unrest.

With the advent of semi-democracy and freedom of speech, long suppressed sectarian tensions have bubbled to the surface again, fuelled by some well-organised hate campaigns.

Leading the anti-Muslim resurgence has been Buddhist monk Wirathu who instigated the so-called 969 movement earlier this year aimed at encouraging Buddhists to boycott businesses owned by Muslims. Extremists  started passing out 969 logos in February, beginning in the Mon state and spreading nationwide. 

The movement has gained traction because of ingrained fears and prejudices against Myanmar Muslims, who make up 5% of the population according to government statistics, although that figure is debatable.  There has been no official census since 1983, and some estimates put real percentage of Muslims at above 10%.

Last month, bandits held up a Muslim-owned bus en route from Moulmein to Yangon, shooting the driver dead and robbing the passengers with the warning that this was what they deserved for doing business with a Muslim, according to police reports.

The Myanmar government has not criticised Wirathu, and earlier this month banned a Time Magazine cover story that depicted him as a terrorist. Officials claim there is no proof that the monk's campaigns are related to the anti-Muslim violence.  An improvement in situation can come only if the government changes that kind of attitude.

 

 

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/plight-of-muslims-in-myanmar-still-a-cause-of-concern/