Yangon
(AsiaNews/Agencies) - After weeks of Buddhist-Muslim violence, calm has
returned to Rakhine State as security forces enforce their rule over the area. For
the authorities, like State's Border and Security Affairs
Minister Colonel Htein
Linn, "the
situation [is] under control". Aung San Suu Kyi, who arrived in Switzerland
two days ago, addressed the issue of sectarian clashes. In Europe for an
official visit, she will travel to Norway, Ireland, Great Britain and France. Although
the
problem of violence underscores the "need for the rule of law", the Nobel Prize
laureate did not press the issue, to avoid perhaps irritating the government
and President Thein
Sein. Back home, the Rohingya Muslim minority continue to be
victimised and suffer from the rejection by the region's Muslim nations
(especially Bangladesh).
In
Rakhine State, relief work for the people affected by the violence continues, Colonel
Linn said, adding that tumours that refugees were starving were
untrue. Almost 32,000 people are housed in 37 camps across the state (formerly
known as Arakan).
Tensions persist
though and renewed violence cannot be excluded. For this reason, local
religious leaders have called on their co-religionists to stay calm and
cooperate with the authorities to restore peace.
Violence broke
following the rape and murder of a Buddhist woman in late May. An angry mob
attacked Muslims on a bus who had nothing to do with the crime; ten were killed.
The situation
then spiralled out of control, and anger turned into violence that claimed 29
lives (16 Muslims, 13 Buddhists) with 38 people wounded. Some 2,600 homes were
set on fire, official sources say. Three Muslim men are on trial for the woman's
death.
Aung San
Suu Kyi, who is in Europe, spoke about the clashes between Buddhists and Rohingya
Muslims, but her schedule was changed when she fell ill at a press conference.
Doctors said
that the incident was caused by trip-related fatigue. Suu Kyi recovered quickly
and will continue her tour as planned.
Speaking about
the sectarian violence in her country, the leader of the National League for
Democracy (NLD), insisted on the need for the rule of law, clear
rules on citizenship, and "responsible" vigilance along the
Burma-Bangladesh border.
When
asked whether she considers Rohingyas Burmese citizens, Burma's opposition
leader insisted that the rule of law was needed in in the country as well as
clear citizenship regulations and efficient border enforcement policies.
For the current
Burmese government and the former military regime that ruled the country until
2010, Rohingyas are illegal immigrants. The latter also persecuted them.
For Ms
Suu Kyi, there is a "practical problem" in Rakhine State, compounded by a "porous
border" that cannot hold back "illegal immigrants crossing."
This is
not good enough for Burma's Rohingya leaders, including Kyaw Min, a
one-time Suu Kyi ally who spent more than seven years as a political prisoner.
"It is politically risky for her," he said, to talk about the issue.
Conversely,
for NLD
spokesman Nyan Win the matter is clear. Although he would not comment Suu Kyi's
position, he said, "The Rohingya are not our citizens."
