....these recent incidents in the Rakhine state are neither because of religious oppression nor discrimination."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Myanmar government has stated that the current riots in Rakhine state are not linked to the persecution of any particular ethnic group, according to a press release from the country`s foreign ministry, received here on Monday.

"After reviewing the incidents in Rakhine state, it has been found that the lawlessness in the area has stemmed from mistrust and religious differences that had created hatred and vengeance among certain communities. As the victims of violence are both from Buddhist and Muslim communities, it is very clear that the riots are not linked to religious persecution. Myanmar is a multiracial and multireligious country where people of different faiths have lived together in peace and harmony," the statement said.

"In light of the true circumstances and situation, Myanmar totally rejects the attempts by some quarters to politicize and internationalize this situation as a religious issue," it added.

According to the statement, peace and stability is indispensable for the ongoing democratization and reform process in Myanmar.

"National solidarity and racial harmony among different nationalities is vital for the perpetuation of the Union. Myanmar is a multireligious country where Buddhists, Christians, Muslims and Hindus have been living together in peace and harmony for centuries. Therefore, these recent incidents in the Rakhine state are neither because of religious oppression nor discrimination," it said.

The statement added that the authorities had taken the necessary steps to deal with the problem and the government was cooperating with religious and community leaders, political parties and social organizations to resolve the issue. "The overall situation is now returning to normalcy," it stated.

"Cabinet members and officials of the union and state governments, as well as representatives from various civil societies, have visited the riot-affected areas and are engaged in resettlement and rehabilitation efforts. The distribution of relief goods to the people in the relief camps is also ongoing," the statement explained.

The Myanmar government said it was taking legal action against the perpetrators of criminal acts, adding that it was also taking steps to ensure that such incidents did not happen again.

The Myanmar government has already built 89 relief camps for 14,328 Rakhine people and 30,740 Muslim people who were affected by the violence. As the law and order situation in Rakhine state is returning to normalcy, people in those relief camps are gradually returning to their homes.

As part of efforts to reconstruct houses that were burnt down in Maungtaw and the villages in Maungtaw township, Ministry of Border Affairs will build 202 houses, UNHCR will build 222 and CARE Myanmar, an international non-governmental organization (INGO), will build 128 houses. UNHCR has provided 400 tents for the refugees in Maungtaw township. In order to provide shelters in Sittway and the villages in Sittway township, Rakhine state government has pledged to set up 170 tents, while UN agencies and INGOs (led by UNHCR) will put up 600.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has spent around US$600,000 to provide dry food rations for refugee camps. So far, a total of 1,515 tonnes of provisions have been sent to the camps and more than 2,100 tonnes of provisions have already been stored at the warehouses of WFP.

UNHCR and INGOs have already provided 6,818 sets of household utensils and 2,412 sheets of tarpaulin to the refugees in Rakhine state.

"In addition, well wishers within the country and abroad have sent in either cash or kind relief worth more than 3 billion kyats for the victims of both sides," the press release said.

"The government has exercised maximum restraint in order to restore law and order in Rakhine state. Myanmar strongly rejects the accusations made by some parties that there was excessive use of force by the authorities dealing with the situation," it added.

The statement explained that the unfortunate incidents were confined to only a few townships in Rakhine state.

Violence in Rakhine state started with the rape and murder of a young woman by three youths in Yanbye township on May 28, 2012, and the subsequent killing of 10 passengers on a bus in Taungup township on June 3. In the former case, the victim was a Rakhine Buddhist woman, while in the latter, the victims were Muslim men.

Following the two incidents, riots broke out in Sittway, Maungtaw and Buthidaung townships. The rioters torched and destroyed houses, shops and guest houses and also committed murders. Because of the riots, 77 people from both communities lost their lives and 109 people were injured. A total of 4,822 houses, 17 mosques, 15 monasteries, and three schools were burnt down. (A051/INE/A051/BSR/YH)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2012