Myanmar working to end violence in Rakhine state: foreign minister
He dismisses growing human rights concerns, and tells the world not to jump to conclusions
Myanmar's foreign minister promised that his country was working to end violence between Buddhists and Muslims in Rakhine state, and urged the world against "jumping to conclusions" about a situation that has drawn global condemnation.
Wunna Maung Lwin also insisted on Monday that Myanmar had addressed "all major concerns related to human rights" since it emerged from a half-century of dictatorship with a 2010 election. He said the Southeast Asian state should be removed from the UN Human Rights Council's agenda. He spoke to the UN General Assembly of world leaders.
Buddhist mob attacks against Rohingya and other Muslims have sparked fears that religious intolerance is undermining Myanmar's democratic reforms. More than 140,000 Rohingya have been trapped in crowded camps since extremist mobs began chasing them from their homes two years ago, killing up to 280 people.
Myanmar authorities view the Rohingya, estimated to number 1.3 million, as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, not one of the country's officially recognised ethnic groups. Discrimination against the Rohingya has intensified as Myanmar has emerged from military rule, and some see in the communal violence the warning signs of genocide.
The foreign minister said his government was working on an "action plan" to bring peace to Rakhine state.
"The history, the diversity and the complexity of the issue must be fully understood before jumping to conclusions," he said. "In addressing the root cause, we are working for peace, stability, harmony and development of all people in Rakhine state."