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Pope Francis fails to mention Rohingya in speech in Myanmar Pope Francis fails to mention Rohingya in Myanmar speech
(about 1 hour later)
Pope Francis failed to mention Myanmar’s Muslim Rohingya minority as he shared a stage with the country’s civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, in which he said the country was suffering from civil conflict and hostilities “that have lasted all too long and created deep divisions”.Pope Francis failed to mention Myanmar’s Muslim Rohingya minority as he shared a stage with the country’s civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, in which he said the country was suffering from civil conflict and hostilities “that have lasted all too long and created deep divisions”.
His visit to Myanmar comes after an exodus of more than 620,000 Rohingya from Rakhine state to the southern tip of Bangladesh following a military crackdown that the US last week described as ethnic cleansing. Speaking in the capital, Naypyitaw, on Tuesday afternoon, the pontiff talked of the need to “respect the rights of all who call this land their home”.
His visit to Myanmar comes after an exodus of more than 620,000 Rohingya from Rakhine state to the southern tip of Bangladesh after a military crackdown that the UN, US and UK have described as ethnic cleansing.
The trip is, however, so delicate that some papal advisers warned him against even saying the word “Rohingya”, lest he set off a diplomatic incident that could turn the country’s military and government against minority Christians.The trip is, however, so delicate that some papal advisers warned him against even saying the word “Rohingya”, lest he set off a diplomatic incident that could turn the country’s military and government against minority Christians.
“The arduous process of peacebuilding and national reconciliation can only advance through a commitment to justice and respect for human rights,” Francis said, speaking after Aung San Suu Kyi had made an address. “The future of Myanmar must be peace, a peace based on respect of the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity,” Francis said, speaking after Aung San Suu Kyi had made an address.
“Religious differences need not be a source of division and distrust, but rather a force for unity, forgiveness, tolerance and wise nation-building,” the pope added. “Religious differences need not be a source of division and distrust, but rather a force for unity, forgiveness, tolerance and wise nation-building.”
Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya as citizens or as members of a distinct ethnic group with their own identity, and it rejects the term “Rohingya” and its use.Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya as citizens or as members of a distinct ethnic group with their own identity, and it rejects the term “Rohingya” and its use.
Phil Robertson, the deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia division, said the pope had missed an opportunity, adding that the “Rohingya have been stripped of so many things but their name should never be one of them”.
Kyaw Naing, a Rohingya Muslim who lives in a confined camp in Rakhine state, told the Associated Press he was sad Francis did not use the term.
“We were very happy and hopeful on his visit,” he said. “But since the pope is not allowed to call out the name ‘Rohingya’, we wonder how bad the human rights situation is in Myanmar.
“He is the holiest man in the world, but it’s so sad to see that even the holiest man cannot call our identity.”
However, the EU’s ambassador to Myanmar, Kristian Schmidt, praised the speech, saying it was unnecessary for Francis to talk directly about the crisis.
“He didn’t need to. It was written all over the speech, between the lines,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be about specific words. It was all about values. And on values it was absolutely eloquent and strong.”
The meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi was the most anticipated of the pope’s visit, given the international outcry over the crackdown on Myanmar’s Muslim Rohingya minority.The meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi was the most anticipated of the pope’s visit, given the international outcry over the crackdown on Myanmar’s Muslim Rohingya minority.
The Rohingya are Muslims who live in majority-Buddhist Myanmar. They are often described as "the world's most persecuted minority". The Rohingya are Muslims who live in majority-Buddhist Myanmar. They are often described as "the world's most persecuted minority". 
Nearly all of Myanmar's 1.1 million Rohingya live in the western coastal state of Rakhine. The government does not recognise them as citizens, effectively rendering them stateless.Nearly all of Myanmar's 1.1 million Rohingya live in the western coastal state of Rakhine. The government does not recognise them as citizens, effectively rendering them stateless.
In 2012, deadly clashes with Buddhists in Rakhine caused 140,000 Rohingya to flee their homes. Many have since paid people smugglers to take them on dangerous sea voyages to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, where they are often exploited.Extremist nationalist movements insist the group are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, although the Rohingya say they are native to Rakhine state.Rights groups accuse Myanmar authorities of ethnic cleansing, systematically forcing Rohingya from the country through violence and persecution, a charge the government has denied.In 2012, deadly clashes with Buddhists in Rakhine caused 140,000 Rohingya to flee their homes. Many have since paid people smugglers to take them on dangerous sea voyages to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, where they are often exploited.Extremist nationalist movements insist the group are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, although the Rohingya say they are native to Rakhine state.Rights groups accuse Myanmar authorities of ethnic cleansing, systematically forcing Rohingya from the country through violence and persecution, a charge the government has denied.
The operation, launched in August after Rohingya militants attacked security posts, has sent more than 620,000 Rohingya into neighbouring Bangladesh, where they have reported entire villages were burned and looted, and women and girls were raped. The operation against the minority was launched in August after Rohingya militants attacked security posts. Rohingya fleeing into neighbouring Bangladesh have reported entire villages were burned and looted, and women and girls were raped.
On Monday evening Oxford city council stripped Aung San Suu Kyi of the freedom of the city award it gave her 20 years ago, saying those who turn a blind eye to violence tarnish its own reputation. On Monday evening, Oxford city council stripped Aung San Suu Kyi of the freedom of the city award it gave her 20 years ago, saying those who turn a blind eye to violence tarnish its reputation.
Myanmar’s Catholic leaders have stressed that Aung San Suu Kyi has no voice to speak out against the military over the operation, and have urged continued support for her efforts to move Myanmar towards a more democratic future that includes all its religious minorities, Christians in particular.Myanmar’s Catholic leaders have stressed that Aung San Suu Kyi has no voice to speak out against the military over the operation, and have urged continued support for her efforts to move Myanmar towards a more democratic future that includes all its religious minorities, Christians in particular.
Earlier in Yangon, Francis spoke to interfaith leaders at the archbishop’s residence and separately met a prominent but controversial Buddhist leader. During talks on Monday evening, the country’s powerful army chief told Francis there was “no religious discrimination” in Myanmar.
The pope stressed a message of “unity in diversity” in his 40-minute meeting with Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders. He told them they should work together to rebuild the country and that if they argue, they should argue like brothers, who reconcile afterwards, his spokesman Greg Burke said. Hours after the pontiff landed and was welcomed to the country by thousands of Catholics, Gen Min Aung Hlaing told the pope the military “performs for the peace and stability of the country” and there is “no discrimination between ethnic groups in Myanmar”.
Before delivering his speech on Tuesday, Francis spoke to interfaith leaders at the archbishop’s residence and separately met a prominent but controversial Buddhist leader.
The pope stressed a message of “unity in diversity” in his 40-minute meeting with Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders. He told them they should work together to rebuild the country and that if they argue, they should argue like brothers, who reconcile afterwards, his spokesman, Greg Burke, said.
His meeting with the Buddhist monk Sitagu Sayadaw was “always in an effort to encourage peace and fraternal coexistence as the only way ahead”, according to Burke.His meeting with the Buddhist monk Sitagu Sayadaw was “always in an effort to encourage peace and fraternal coexistence as the only way ahead”, according to Burke.
Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this reportReuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report