Reuters, Naypyidaw :
Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi asked to be given “enough space” to address the plight of her country’s Rohingya Muslim population, as visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry pressed the Nobel laureate to promote respect for human rights.
Some 125,000 Rohingya in Myanmar are displaced and face severe travel restrictions in camps since fighting erupted in Rakhine State between the country’s Buddhists and Muslims in 2012. Thousands have fled persecution and poverty in an exodus by boat.
The US has long supported Suu Kyi’s role in championing democratic change in Myanmar, but was surprised this month when she suggested to the new US Ambassador Scot Marciel to refrain from using the term ‘Rohingya’ for the persecuted Muslim minority.
The Rohingya, most of whom live in apartheid-like conditions, are seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and referred to by many as Bengalis.
“Emotive terms make it very difficult for us to find a peaceful and sensible resolution to our problems,” Suu Kyi told reporters at a joint news conference with Kerry in Naypyidaw.
“All that we are asking is that people should be aware of the difficulties we are facing and to give us enough space to solve all our problems.” Kerry said he had discussed the issue with Suu Kyi during their meeting, describing the issue as “very sensitive” and “divisive” in Myanmar.
“I know it arouses strong passions here,” Kerry said. “At the same time, we all understand, as a matter of fact, that there is a group here in Myanmar that calls itself Rohingya,” he said, adding that the US used that term.
“What’s critical to focus on is solving the problem; what’s critical to focus on is improving the situation on the ground to promote development, promote respect for human rights, and to benefit all of those who live in Rakhine and throughout Myanmar,” he added.
There is widespread hostility towards Rohingya Muslims in the Buddhist-majority country, including among some within Suu Kyi’s party and its supporters. Taking up the cause of the beleaguered minority would carry a political cost for Suu Kyi, who took on the newly created role of state counsellor in April following the first-democratically elected government in some five decades.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday urged Burma’s new civilian-led government to complete the Southeast Asian nation’s transition to democracy by implementing further reforms to enshrine free markets, development and human rights.
Speaking with Burma’s foreign minister and de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, after talks in the capital of Naypyidaw, Kerry pledged continuing U.S. support for the country and hailed progress it has made since Suu Kyi’s political party took office in late March after winning historic elections that ended decades of military control.
Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi asked to be given “enough space” to address the plight of her country’s Rohingya Muslim population, as visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry pressed the Nobel laureate to promote respect for human rights.
Some 125,000 Rohingya in Myanmar are displaced and face severe travel restrictions in camps since fighting erupted in Rakhine State between the country’s Buddhists and Muslims in 2012. Thousands have fled persecution and poverty in an exodus by boat.
The US has long supported Suu Kyi’s role in championing democratic change in Myanmar, but was surprised this month when she suggested to the new US Ambassador Scot Marciel to refrain from using the term ‘Rohingya’ for the persecuted Muslim minority.
The Rohingya, most of whom live in apartheid-like conditions, are seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and referred to by many as Bengalis.
“Emotive terms make it very difficult for us to find a peaceful and sensible resolution to our problems,” Suu Kyi told reporters at a joint news conference with Kerry in Naypyidaw.
“All that we are asking is that people should be aware of the difficulties we are facing and to give us enough space to solve all our problems.” Kerry said he had discussed the issue with Suu Kyi during their meeting, describing the issue as “very sensitive” and “divisive” in Myanmar.
“I know it arouses strong passions here,” Kerry said. “At the same time, we all understand, as a matter of fact, that there is a group here in Myanmar that calls itself Rohingya,” he said, adding that the US used that term.
“What’s critical to focus on is solving the problem; what’s critical to focus on is improving the situation on the ground to promote development, promote respect for human rights, and to benefit all of those who live in Rakhine and throughout Myanmar,” he added.
There is widespread hostility towards Rohingya Muslims in the Buddhist-majority country, including among some within Suu Kyi’s party and its supporters. Taking up the cause of the beleaguered minority would carry a political cost for Suu Kyi, who took on the newly created role of state counsellor in April following the first-democratically elected government in some five decades.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday urged Burma’s new civilian-led government to complete the Southeast Asian nation’s transition to democracy by implementing further reforms to enshrine free markets, development and human rights.
Speaking with Burma’s foreign minister and de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, after talks in the capital of Naypyidaw, Kerry pledged continuing U.S. support for the country and hailed progress it has made since Suu Kyi’s political party took office in late March after winning historic elections that ended decades of military control.
