ASIA/MYANMAR - Appeal for tolerance and respect for human rights during elections

Yangon (Agenzia Fides) - "There are concerns that the election results will serve to highlight growing ethnic and religious divides in Burma and that a new, democratic government will be hamstrung when it comes to ending long-term human rights violations": says a note sent to Fides by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), reflecting on the situation that is emerging after the national elections to be held on November 8.
The NGO notes that "despite being the first openly-contested democratic elections in Burma since 1990, the process is inherently flawed as a result of clauses in the Constitution which bar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from the presidency and guarantee the military 25 per cent of seats in parliament".
"In addition - it continues - an estimated 20 per cent of the population is believed to be deliberately disenfranchised". The Rohingya Muslim people have been completely denied a vote.
The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar (Burma), Yanghee Lee, has expressed concern about the influence of extreme religious nationalist movements in the political process and incitement to hatred against minorities.
This is why "there is a clear need for continued legislative and constitutional reform to bring the country’s legal framework in line with international human rights laws and standards" said CSW, which has launched a special appeal for tolerance and respect for human rights, supported today by social leaders and civilians in Myanmar, but also in other countries of Asia and the world. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 06/11/2015)

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religious minorities

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human rights

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democracy

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elections

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religious freedom

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