Card. Bo: Healing the Country, Moving Forward in Peace, Justice and Reconciliation

Cardinal Charles Bo of Myanmar on Tuesday issued a press release welcoming the assurance of Aung San Suu Kyi about rights in Rakhine state, the return of refugees and development of the state.   

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi on 19th  condemned rights abuses in Rakhine state and said violators would be punished. The remarks were made in her first address to the nation since attacks by Rohingya Muslim insurgents on Aug. 25 which led to a military response that has forced 421,000 Rohingya Muslims, more than half of them children, into neighboring Bangladesh.

The full text of the Statement by Card. Bo is here below:

 

Statement By Cardinal Charles Maung Bo., DD, SDB 

Healing the Country, Moving Forward  in Peace, Justice  and Reconciliation  

Dear Fellow Citizens and International Community, 

Greetings. 

The recent sad tragic events in our country affecting thousands of  Muslims, Rakhines and Hindus and others have brought the concerned attention of the world.  The trigger to violence and the aggressive response are lamentable.  We feel with great compassion at  the flight of thousands of Muslims ,Hindu, Rakhine, Mro and many others were also scattered  especially children. This is a tragedy that should not have happened. 

  As Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has expressed her concern over all forms  of violence in her recent speech, we strongly advocate that aggressive responses without any embedded long term peaceful policies would be counterproductive. 

Much has been said by the western media on the role of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  Many feel that the sentiments and principles she expressed so strongly in  her latest  address should have come earlier.    But to lay all blame on her, stigmatizing her response is a very counterproductive measure.   The circumstances under which her government took over, the multiple humanitarian challenges her government had to face during the short time, the continued role of military constitutionally imposed lack of  leverage in security issues and scores of other challenges make her role a daunting one.  

 Her assurance in her speech about rights in Rakhine state, the return of refugees and development of the state is to be welcomed.  Those who  have  lived in this country for a long time, need justice and the Kofi Annan Commission took the right direction in suggesting constructive measures. She has formed a working committee to implement recommendations of the Kofi Annan Commission. These are positive initiatives that need the appreciation and collaboration of all stakeholders and the international community.   

All of us need to move from a wounded past towards a healing future. Let the lessons of the past enlighten our future.  

Peace based on justice  is possible, peace is the only way.   

 

Sincerely yours

+Charles Cardinal Maung Bo

Archbishop of  Yangon.