Aung San Suu Kyi Against Myanmar Minority Policy

The Noble Peace Laureate intervenes for the first time in defense of the Muslim minority: it is a violation of human rights. The opposition leaders challenge President Thein Sein: the desire of change "is not enough", concrete reforms and equality are needed. — The Noble Peace Laureate intervenes for the first time in defense of the Muslim minority: it is a violation of human rights. The opposition leaders challenge President Thein Sein: the desire of change “is not enough”, concrete reforms and equality are needed.

Yangon (AsiaNews / Agencies) – Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese opposition leader, has strongly criticized the bill recently introduced in Rakhine State, which imposes a family planning program for Rohingya. Accused in the past of failing to defend the Muslim minority, for the first time the Nobel Laureate – on behalf of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) – said the if confirmed, the imposed limit of two children is “a flagrant violation of human rights.” She added that she was opposed to the entry into force of the controversial law, introduced at first by the previous military junta and confirmed by the authorities of Rakhine “to contain sectarian violence.”

The measure, which is part of a framework of measures targeted to reign in polygamy and the growth of the minority, will cover the district of Maungdaw, in Rakhine State, which includes the towns of Maungdaw and Buthidaung. Both are located along the border with Bangladesh, in an area inhabited largely by members of the Rohingya Muslim minority, the only ethnic group to which the “two children law” applies.

Speaking at the conclusion of an NLD meeting in Yangon, the “Lady” told reporters she could not confirm if the law was already in force, but added that it was “illegal.” more…