The sectarian violence in western Burma's Rakhine state underscores the need for the rule of law, clear rules on citizenship, and "responsible" vigilance along the Burma-Bangladesh border, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said Thursday.
She said she was concerned over the violence that has killed nearly 30 people, according to government estimates, since rioting began nearly a week ago between Rohingya Muslims and ethnic Rakhine Buddhists in the state.
The 66-year-old Nobel laureate said "the most important lesson" from the conflict was "the need for rule of law," which she added was also key to resolving the numerous armed ethnic conflicts in the country emerging from decades of harsh military rule.
"We have said again and again, my party, the National League for Democracy, that rule of law is essential if we are to put an end to all conflicts within the country," she told a news conference in Bern, the Swiss capital, after arriving by train from Geneva where she addressed the International Labour Organization (ILO).
"Everybody must have access to the protection of the law and of course they also have a duty to abide by the laws of the land. So, without rule of law, such communal strife will only continue, and the present situation will have to be handled with delicacy and sensitivity and we need the cooperation of all peoples concerned to regain the peace that we want for the country."
Twenty-nine people—16 Muslims and 13 Buddhists—have been killed and scores more wounded and nearly 2,600 homes burned in Rakhine state since Friday, according to Htein Lin, security and border affairs minister for Rakhine.
Some 31,900 people have also been displaced by the fighting and are housed in 37 camps across the state, which has been placed under emergency rule since Sunday, Htein Lin told reporters in the state capital Sittwe.
The death toll does not include 10 Muslims beaten to death while traveling on a bus by a Buddhist mob on June 3 in apparent revenge for the rape and murder of a woman, which sparked the violence. The passengers had no connection to the murdered woman. State media said three Muslims are on trial for the woman's death.
Ethnic tensions are common in Rakhine, which is home to Burma’s largest population of Muslims, including the Rohingya, though they remain a minority in the largely Buddhist region. The United Nations refugee agency estimates that some 800,000 Rohingya live in Rakhine state.
Decades of discrimination have left the Muslim Rohingya stateless and viewed by the United Nations as among the most persecuted minorities on the planet.
Illegal immigrants
The Burmese government regards the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh even though many of them have lived in the country for generations.
When asked whether she accepts Rohingyas as Burmese citizens, Aung San Suu Kyi repeated the need for rule of law in the country as well as clear citizenship regulations and efficient border enforcement policies.
"We need very clear and precise laws with regard to citizenship to begin with. But I would like to mention here a very practical problem that we have to resolve in the Rakhine state. I think one of the greatest problems comes from the fear on both sides of the border—that is to say [between] Bangladesh and Burma—that there will be illegal immigrants crossing all the time and this is due to the porous border.
"I think we need more responsible, incorrupt border vigilance."
Aung San Suu Kyi also touched on the hostilities in Burma's Kachin state, saying a ceasefire to halt ethnic violence there was not enough and underlined the need for a political solution.
"I understand that there are negotiations going on between the government and and the KIO with regard to a ceasefire. I just want to underline the fact that a ceasefire is not enough. In the end, we have to have a political settlement if there is to be a kind of peace that is lasting and meaningful."
The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) is the Kachin ethnic group’s political wing. Kachin rebels have been fighting government forces since a 17-year peace agreement was shattered in June last year, forcing at least 50,000 people from their homes and thousands more to flee across the border into China.
Earlier, Aung San Suu Kyi, making her first visit to Europe in nearly a quarter of a century, received a standing ovation at the International Labour Organization (ILO), whose director-general Juan Somavia praised her "remarkable courage and determination."
Joint ventures
In her ILO speech, she urged foreign governments not to let their companies form joint ventures with Burma's state-owned oil and gas company until it improves its business practices.
The Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), with which all foreign participation in the energy sector takes place through joint venture arrangements, "lacks both transparency and accountability at present," she said.
"The [Burmese] government needs to apply internationally recognized standards such as the IMF code of good practices on fiscal transparency. Other countries could help by not allowing their own companies to partner MOGE unless it was signed up to such codes," she said.
Responsible investment is the key to helping her resource-rich country along the path to democracy after nearly 50 years of military rule, she said.
Aung San Suu Kyi, who is about to turn 67, cut short the press conference and her engagements in the Swiss capital due to exhaustion.
The opposition leader apologized after vomiting during the press conference, saying she was "totally exhausted" from traveling.
"I am not used to the time difference," she said.
Switzerland is the first stop on a 18-day trip that will take her to Norway, Sweden, Britain, France, and Ireland.
Reported by Khim Maung Soe for RFA's Burmese service. Translated by Khin May Zaw. Written in English with additional reporting by Parameswaran Ponnudurai.
who said rohingyas have been there for 4/5 generations? they have entered the country illegally. for those who enter illegally into any country, including the US, which government grants citizenship? Don't look at only the IK and US citizenship laws, you must also look at the Saudi Arabia's citizenship laws. We are happy to be Burma's Muslim citizens without entering illegally into Rangoon. Period.
Jul 02, 2012 05:46 PM
Wrong. Rohingas are living in Rakhaine/Arakan State for not less than 500 years and they did not enter there illegally. Pre British time Arakan and part of Bangladesh was one country. If Rakhaine state become independent of Burma today, burmese living in Arakan can not be illegal.
Aug 10, 2012 09:14 PM
I believed that Rohingya are immigrants who enter Arakan about 150 years ago. They have never been recongnized by state law. However, since they have been in Arakan state for 4/5 generations, they should be granted citizenship or guest citizenship. The violent natures of both groups can be solved through rule of law.
Aung San Su Kyi is wise enough not to mess with what she does not possess political power to handle the case.
You see, currently Burma is ruled by National Security Councils which is remaint of past government. Even though I kind of trust President Thein Sein, all his words are not to be believed since he would be a figurehead leader restricted by the national Security council. Daw Su Kyi is after all a opposition of great influence but no significant power. Just be minded, it is Burma, not America or UK: State is ruled by guns and fear not by discipline and law.
Jun 22, 2012 04:04 AM
