Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Press Release Team
Press Release No. 10/2013
4th Waning of Waso, 1375 ME
(26th July, 2013)

1. The Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has been striving with might and main to build a new peaceful,  modernized and democratic nation in accordance with the desire of the entire people.

2.  In  line with  the State Constitution,  all  citizens of Myanmar have  the  right  to  religious freedom  of  choice  in  Buddhism,  Christianity,  Islam,  Hinduism  and  Animism. Throughout history,  there has been peaceful co-existence and harmony among different religious groups.

3.  Based  on  a  crime  which  occurred  in May  2012  in  Rakhine  State,  series  of  violence between the two communities in the months of June and October have caused dismay to the  entire  people  of Myanmar.  In March,  2013,  an  incident  of  violence  occurred  in Meiktila  in Mandalay  Region  which  was  sparked  by  a  quarrel  among  the  seller  and buyer  leading  to  clashes  between  groups  and  series  of  violence  in  a  few  townships  in Bago Region. Also  in May,  2013,  an  incident  of  violence  broke  out  in  Lashio  in  the northern Shan State.

4.  The Government of Myanmar took immediate measures to put an end to these incidents of violence and to ensure the prevalence of law and order within a short period of time. In  doing  so,  the Government  not  only  paid  serious  attention  to  avoid  using  excessive force  but  also  exerted  legal  measures  on  any  person  who  committed  the  violence. Moreover,  those who committed  the crime were charged with appropriate  legal actions according  to  the  extent  of  crimes,  regardless  of  their  racial  or  religious  origin.  The information  on  the  legal  actions  including  arrests,  verdicts  and  trials  has  already  been mentioned in the State newspapers.

5.  The  Government  of  Myanmar,  in  collaboration  with  the  Ministries  concerned,  the Rakhine  State  Government,  the  United  Nations  agencies,  INGOs  and  NGOs,  has provided necessary humanitarian assistance to the affected people without discrimination of  religion  or  race.  Provision  of  assistance,  which  was  channelled  through  the governments of donor countries were equitably distributed  to both communities. Out of 960 houses and 1443 quarters  to be constructed by  the Union Government  in Rakhine State, a total of 945 houses and 1413 quarters have been completed and these have been occupied by  the affected people. Likewise, out of 937 quarters  to be constructed by  the United Nations and international organizations, a total of 538 units have been completed while all houses  totaling 282 units have been constructed. Measures are continuing  for resettlement and rehabilitation of the people who lost their homes.

6.  The Government of Myanmar, civil organizations,  leaders of different  religious groups are  fully  aware  that  trust  and harmony between  the Buddhists  and  the Muslims  are of paramount  importance  for  the  lasting  peace  among  the  people,  and  hence,  have  paid serious attention  to  this  issue. Equally  important as  the  right  to  freedom of worship  in Myanmar, all communities should preserve mutual respect, understanding, empathy and patience.  Moreover,  all  should  oppose  hostilities  of  religious  extremism  and  stand against  those  who  are  instigating  for  the  escalation  of  religious  divergence  and instability.

7.  Today,  although  stability  has  been  restored  in Myanmar,  certain  organizations  both  at home  and  abroad  are  portraying  as  if  there  exists  severe  religious  and  racial discrimination. All  should  be  cognizant  of  the  fact  that  such  fabrications will  further complicate the situation.

8.  Upholding  the  tradition of high dignity of Myanmar  in which  all  citizens  and national races have been  living with unity and amity, without any discrimination of religion and ethnicity  throughout history, we must continue  to maintain peaceful co-existence  in  the future.  At  the  same  time,  all  citizens  are  solemnly  urged  to  strive  for  the  successful establishment of a new system of politics and economy bearing it in mind as their main duty.

9.  The Government  of Myanmar will  continue  to work  in  collaboration with  benevolent States, the United Nations, international organizations and also well-wishers from home for  the  resettlement  and  rehabilitation  of  the  affected  people  and  ultimately  for  the lasting peace and harmony while reaffirming its commitment to religious and racial non-discrimination.