November 16 - 30 , 2017 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY 25
Pope in Burma : Peace requires justice , respect for human rights
In a major speech in Burma , Pope Francis told the nation ’ s leaders to leave conflict behind and work for peace by promoting justice and respect for the rights of all citizens , regardless of religion or ethnicity .
“ The arduous process of peace-building and national reconciliation can only advance through a commitment to justice and respect for human rights ,” the Pope told Burmese civil authorities Nov . 28 .
Speaking from the capital of Naypyitaw on the first full day of a six-day visit to Burma and Bangladesh , Francis noted how justice is historically understood as “ a steadfast will to give each person his due ,” and is often viewed as “ the basis of all true and lasting peace .”
This understanding is what , after the experience of two world wars , led to the formation of the United Nations and their subsequent declaration on human rights as the foundation for global efforts to promote justice , peace and human development , and to resolve conflict through dialogue , “ not the use of force .”
With a past marred by internal conflict and a present filled with ongoing political tensions , Pope Francis said the future of Burma “ must be peace .” This peace , he said , must be “ based on respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society ,” as well as respect “ for each ethnic group and its identity .”
It must also be founded on a keen respect “ for the rule of law , and respect for a democratic order that enables each individual and every group – none excluded – to offer its legitimate contribution to the common good .”
Pope Francis landed in Yangon Nov . 27 for the first phase of his third tour of Asia , which will take him to both Burma – also called Myanmar – and Bangladesh . He will be in Burma Nov . 27-30 , and will visit two cities before moving on to Dhaka , Bangladesh , where he will stay Nov . 30- Dec . 2 .
His visit to Burma , in particular , is significant not only because the country has a small Christian minority , but also due to a contentious political situation that has roots in both a recent regime change and an ongoing crisis over their minority Rohingya Muslim population .
Francis ’ visit comes amid a spike in statesupported violence against the Rohingya , the largely Muslim ethnic group who reside in Burma ’ s Rakhine State . The staggering scope of the crisis has prompted the U . N . to declare the situation “ a textbook example of ethnic cleansing .”
The
Burmese government refuses to recognize the Rohingya , and considers them illegal immigrants from Bangladesh . They have been denied citizenship since Burma gained independence in 1948 .
Facing heightened persecution in their home country , many Rohingya have fled to neighboring Bangladesh , with millions camping along the border as refugees . More than 600,000 Rohingya have fled Burma for Bangladesh in the past few months alone .
The Pope ’ s visit also falls as Burmese officials continue to work out a recent transition to democracy after more than 50 years of military dictatorship , which began to come unhinged as democratic reforms started taking root in 2011 .
Religious differences in Burma , a majority Buddhist country , “ need not be a source of division and distrust , but rather a force for unity , forgiveness , tolerance and wise nation-building ,” he said , adding that religions can play an important role in healing the emotional , spiritual and psychological wounds of years of unrest .
“ They can help to uproot the causes of conflict , build bridges of dialogue , seek justice and be a prophetic voice for all who suffer ,” he said , and pointed to current joint efforts among religions to work together in peace efforts through education , assistance to the poor and in promoting human values .
Future generations must also be guaranteed that the natural environment and beauty Burma enjoys is “ unspoilt by human greed and depredation ,” he said , and stressed the importance of not allowing youth to be “ robbed of hope and of the chance to employ their idealism and talents in shaping the future of their country and , indeed , our entire human family .”
P o p e F r a n c i s closed his s p e e c h encouraging f e l l o w Catholics in the country to persevere in faith and to continue spreading a message of
“ reconciliation and brotherhood ” through both charitable and humanitarian works .
“ It is my hope that , in respectful cooperation with the followers of other religions , and all men and women of good will , they will help to open a new era of concord and progress for the people of this beloved nation ,” he said .
Thanking his audience for their attention and service to the common good , he said “ long live Myanmar !” and asked God to bless its leaders with “ wisdom , strength and peace .”
In a speech to Pope Francis , Aung San Suu Kyi told the Pope that “ you bring us strength and hope in your understanding of our need , our longing , for peace , national reconciliation and social harmony .”
She said his words on justice resonate , and serve as a “ reminder that in our quest for peace we must be guided by the wisdom and
WWW . PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY . COM
Pope Francis addresses authorities in Burma Nov . 28 , 2017 . Credit : Ed Pentin / CNA .
aspirations of our fathers .”
Burma currently faces various challenges , Aung San Suu Kyi said , noting how the country is made up of people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds .( Elise Harris , CNA )
November 16 - 30, 2017
PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY
Pope in Burma: Peace
requires justice, respect for
human rights
In a major speech in
Burma, Pope Francis told
the nation’s leaders to leave
conflict behind and work for
peace by promoting justice
and respect for the rights
of all citizens, regardless of
religion or ethnicity.
“The arduous process
of
peace-building
and
national reconciliation can
only advance through a
commitment to justice and
respect for human rights,”
the Pope told Burmese civil
authorities Nov. 28.
Speaking
from
the
capital of Naypyitaw on the
first full day of a six-day visit
to Burma and Bangladesh,
Francis noted how justice is
historically understood as
“a steadfast will to give each
person his due,” and is often
viewed as “the basis of all true
and lasting peace.”
This understanding is
what, after the experience
of two world wars, led to
the formation of the United
Nations and their subsequent
declaration
on
human
rights as the foundation for
global efforts to promote
justice, peace and human
development, and to resolve
conflict through dialogue,
“not the use of force.”
With a past marred by
internal conflict and a present
filled with ongoing political
tensions, Pope Francis said
the future of Burma “must be
peace.” This peace, he said,
must be “based on respect for
the dignity and rights of each
member of society,” as well
as respect “for each ethnic
group and its identity.”
It must also be founded
on a keen respect “for the
rule of law, and respect for
a democratic order that
enables each individual and
every group – none excluded
– to offer its legitimate
contribution to the common
good.”
Pope Francis landed in
Yangon Nov. 27 for the first
phase of his third tour of Asia,
which will take him to both
Burma – also called Myanmar
– and Bangladesh. He will be
in Burma Nov. 27-30, and will
visit two cities before moving
on to Dhaka, Bangladesh,
where he will stay Nov. 30-
Dec. 2.
His visit to Burma, in
particular, is significant not
only because the country has
a small Christian minority,
but also due to a contentious
political situation that has
roots in both a recent regime
change and an ongoing crisis
over their minority Rohingya
Muslim population.
Francis’ visit comes
amid a spike in state-
supported violence against
the Rohingya, the largely
Muslim ethnic group who
reside in Burma’s Rakhine
State. The staggering scope
of the crisis has prompted the
U.N. to declare the situation
“a textbook example of ethnic
cleansing.”
The
Burmese
government
refuses
to
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