Sectarian violence in Rakhine State becomes a new challenge for Burma | Asia News – Politics, Media, Education | Asian Correspondent

Sectarian violence in Rakhine State becomes a new challenge for Burma | Asia News – Politics, Media, Education | Asian Correspondent
Zin Linn Oct 26, 2012

As a result of riots and crimes in May and June 2012, sectarian violence in western Burma has continued; riots and arson between groups of raging peoples, killing 50, wounding 54 and burning down 2230 houses and 14 religious buildings till 14 June, the president’s office says in its statement (1/2012) dated 25 October 2012. The incident also left 61,462 people homeless forcing victims to take shelter at relief camps, the statement says via The New Light of Myanmar newspaper.

In order to bring back immediate peace and stability, the Rakhine State government issued Article 144 of the Criminal Code of Law in some townships in Rakhine State. The president also declared a state of emergency by issuing ordinance in agreement with the constitution, the statement said. Moreover, the government in cooperation with local people as well as police and army personnel took measures to restore the rule of law, the president’s office says in its statement (1/2012). According to the statement, the state of emergency was declared under the law with the approval of the Union Parliament.

As said by the statement, the government of Burma has been facing criticism over the affair – described as an abuse of human rights by some international organizations – and the case has been taken to the United Nations. The government of Burma (Myanmar) has to defend against those criticisms through every possible means, the statement says. Concurrently, the statement (1/2012) said that the government had to make efforts to get humanitarian aid for temporary shelter, provision of food and health care and rehabilitation of victims.

According to the government press statement, riots erupted in Kyaukpyu, Minbya, Myebon and Mrauk-U townships all of a sudden in Rakhine State, leaving 12 dead, 50 wounded, 1948 houses and eight religious buildings in ashes with substantial numbers of homeless people till 24 October, 2012. However, The Associated Press said that at least 56 people have been killed and 1,900 homes destroyed in renewed ethnic violence in western Myanmar as the government warned perpetrators and the international community appealed for calm.

Burma (Myanmar) has achieved the support and international recognition of its drive for smooth transition in the democratization process within a short period of time, the statement underlines. While the international community is watching the ongoing progress in the country with interest, current riots and violence have a great impact on the national integrity and interest.

Hence, it says that effective measures will be taken for the rule of law and community peace and tranquility with the collaborative efforts of the police, army and local inhabitants. The government declares through its statement that there are persons and organizations who are manipulating the incidents in Rakhine State from behind the scenes. As a result, the statement calls for the manipulators to be exposed and legal action taken against them.

On the same day, the spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement Thursday. It says, “The most recent outbreak of communal violence in five townships in Northern Rakhine is deeply troubling. The widening mistrust between the communities is being exploited by militant and criminal elements to cause large-scale loss of human lives, material destruction, displaced families as well as fear, humiliation and hatred affecting the people from all walks of life.”

The U.N. Secretary-General also calls on “the authorities to take urgent and effective action to bring under control all cases of lawlessness. The vigilante attacks, targeted threats and extremist rhetoric must be stopped. If this is not done, the fabric of social order could be irreparably damaged and the reform and opening up process being currently pursued by the government is likely to be jeopardized.”

According to AP, the U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland says the U.S. is deeply concerned about the violence in Rakhine state and is urging authorities to grant full humanitarian access. The U.S. last week held what it viewed as a successful human rights dialogue with Myanmar. Nuland says U.S. officials have visited Rakhine state five times since June and are in constant conversation with Myanmar authorities.

The ongoing sectarian violence in western Burma also looks as if a threat to destabilize the current reforms endorsed by the President Thein Sein’s quasi-civilian government.