Wednesday, November 29, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Pope Francis, Senior Buddhist Monks Stress Religious Leaders’ Role in Fostering Peace 

Posted: 29 Nov 2017 06:19 AM PST

YANGON—In a meeting with the Sangha Maha Nayaka, the country's highest Buddhist authority, in Yangon on Wednesday, Pope Francis joined Myanmar's leading Buddhist monks to stress the role of religious leaders in fostering peace and harmony.

Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, arrived in Myanmar on Monday for a four-day visit, becoming the first pontiff to visit the Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian country, where Christians make up less than 6.2 percent of the population and Muslims less than 5 percent.

The pope emphasized that Buddhism and Christianity shared the aim of surmounting all forms of intolerance, prejudice and hatred, quoting from both St. Francis of Assisi and the Dhammapada, a collection of Buddha's sayings. Francis said, "The words of the Buddha offer each of us a guide: 'Overcome the angry by non-anger; overcome the wicked by goodness; overcome the miser by generosity; overcome the liar by truth' (Dhammapada, XVII, 223). Similar sentiments are voiced in a prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: 'Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, let me bring pardon…  Where there is darkness, let me bring light, and where there is sadness, joy.'"

The pope added, "May that wisdom continue to inspire every effort to foster patience and understanding, and to heal the wounds of conflict that through the years have divided people of different cultures, ethnicities and religious convictions." He told the meeting that to ensure that every voice is heard, such efforts are the responsibility of state officials, civil society and religious leaders.

He also commended the ongoing work of the Panglong Peace Conference and prayed for the promotion of greater participation of all people who live in Myanmar.

"If these efforts are to bear lasting fruit, greater cooperation between religious leaders will be required," Francis said.

"Opportunities for religious leaders to encounter one another and for dialogue are proving to be a notable element in the promotion of justice and peace in Myanmar," he added.

Dr. Buaddanta Kumarabhivamsa, chairman of the State Sangha Committee, said leaders of all religions must strive to act as builders of a harmonious human society through their respective religious teachings in consolidating peace and security.

"We, members of different faiths, urgently need to build mutual understanding, respect and trust among ourselves, in order to obtain a peaceful, secure and prosperous human society."

Denouncing and condemning all kinds of hate speech, false propaganda, conflict and war, and those who support such activities, the head monk urged religious members to cooperate in building bridges for world peace and to speak out publicly against the misuse of religion.

The chairman of the State Sangha also rejected "terrorism and extremism" in the name of religious belief, saying original religious teachings had been manipulated by "some religious followers."

"We firmly believe that terrorism and extremism arise out of misapprehension of original teachings of the respective religions, because some religious followers introduce amendments to the original teachings, being dominated by desire, ill-will, dread and delusion: the four wrong courses," the leading monk said at the meeting.

The pope made his appeal at an open-air mass in Yangon on Wednesday morning. He will conclude his visit and head to Bangladesh on Thursday.

The post Pope Francis, Senior Buddhist Monks Stress Religious Leaders' Role in Fostering Peace  appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

NLD’s Stiffest Opposition in Parliament Not Who Many Expected

Posted: 29 Nov 2017 04:31 AM PST

YANGON — When the National League for Democracy (NLD)-dominated Parliament convened in early 2016, many expected its main opposition to come from the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which led the prior government as a proxy of the country's powerful military. The USDP, which won only 41 of 664 seats in the 2015 general election, has not emerged as such.

Instead, the NLD's main opposition in Parliament has from the start come from elsewhere: the military appointees.

The military holds 110 seats in the Lower House and 56 seats in the Upper House— reserving fully 25 percent of the seats in all parliaments nationally and regionally— under the military-drafted 2008 Constitution. It also controls three key ministries: Defense, Home Affairs and Border Affairs. The commander-in-chief chooses the military appointees, a vice-president and the three ministers.

The second-day session of the second Lower House Parliament at Naypyitaw on Feb. 4, 2016./The Irrawaddy

Tensions between NLD lawmakers and the military appointees started to arise only days after the NLD government was sworn in on March 30 last year.

In Parliament on April 4, 2016, all military representatives stood up in an apparent sign of protest against the passage of a bill that created a key new post of state counselor for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is barred from becoming president under the Constitution.

Military lawmakers called the bill "unconstitutional."

Before that, the military appointees had objected to the NLD's nomination of a vice president and constitutional tribunal members and to an NLD lawmaker's remarks on the controversial Letpaduang copper mine in Sagaing Division.

"Before, the military and the USDP-led government were on the same side. The military agreed in most cases. But now the military has shown the most opposition to the NLD government and to proposals from NLD lawmakers," said U Ye Tun, a former lawmaker from Shan State's Hsipaw Township.

The military's objections in Parliament have failed to stop the passage of bills and amendments by a legislature dominated by the NLD. But the appointees have used their allotted seats to signal their discontent.

They have expressed their disapproval, for instance, with remarks by the ruling party that they deemed disrespectful of the military, the extension of a government commission's term, and proposals to amend laws.

Most recently, the entire bloc of unelected military representatives in the Lower House stood up in unison to oppose an NLD motion to place the image of the country's late independence hero General Aung San — the father of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi — on future bank notes.

Lieutenant Colonel Kyaw Min Hlaing said animals — including peacocks, lions and elephants — were rightly featured on the notes because all of Myanmar's ethnic groups valued and acknowledged them as national symbols. The military's objection went viral on social media and met with an angry response from the public. The proposal was passed with a majority of votes from the NLD and ethnic parties.

Crucially, however, while the military appointees cannot amend or make laws on their own, they hold veto power over proposed amendments to the Constitution.

Article 436 of the Constitution says any major changes to the Constitution must have the support of more than 75 percent of both houses of Parliament, making such changes impossible without the appointees' support. And as the country's most powerful institution, the military sees its main duty as safeguarding the charter, which guarantees that it maintains an important leadership role.

Here, The Irrawaddy lists some of the military's most significant confrontations with the NLD in Parliament over the last one year and nine months.

Copper Mine

On Feb. 26, 2016, military appointees in the Lower House stood up to protest remarks by an NLD lawmaker about the controversial Letpadaung copper mine in Sagaing Division, a joint venture between a Chinese firm and a military-run conglomerate.

NLD lawmaker U Kyaw Aung Lwin, representing Magwe Division's Sidoktaya Township, brought up the copper mine while speaking in support of a proposal tabled by NLD lawmaker Khin San Hlaing calling for scrutiny of an apparent quick-fire sale of state-owned land and projects during the country's transition period.

Vice President

On March 14, 2016, military representative General Than Soe objected to the NLD candidate for vice president, Henry Van Thio, questioning his eligibility for living abroad.

Constitutional Tribunal

On March 28, 2016, military representative Lieutenant Colonel Tun Lin Oo submitted a proposal opposing the nomination of two of nine Constitutional Tribunal members put forward by President U Htin Kyaw. Lawmakers voted not to discuss the proposal.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and senior military officials attend the official power transfer ceremony on March 30, 2016 at the presidential residence in Naypyitaw. / The Irrawaddy

State Counselor

On April 5, 2016, military lawmakers refused to cast ballots and stood up to register their protest against a bill creating a key new post of state counselor for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is barred from becoming president under the Constitution even though her party won the supermajority it needed to form a government in the 2015 general election.

Military lawmakers said the bill was "unconstitutional."  Brigadier General Maung Maung labeled the vote "democratic bullying," referring to the NLD's dominance in the legislature.

Overnight Guest Registration

On June 3, 2016, military representatives claimed that revoking provisions of Myanmar's colonial-era Ward or Village Tract Administration Law, which requires citizens to register overnight guests, would jeopardize the country's national security in both the Lower House and Upper House. NLD lawmakers argued that the amendments to the law were drafted in line with democratic norms.

Democratic Federal Union

On Aug. 30, 2016, when Union Parliament Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than announced Parliament's support for the first Union Peace Conference under the NLD government, military lawmaker Major General Than Soe objected to the phrase "democratic federal union" in the statement, claiming the wording violated the Constitution.

Special Cases Assessment Commission

On Feb. 27, 2017, military officials objected to extending the term of the Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission, chaired by U Shwe Mann, arguing that it was not formed in line with the 2008 military-drafted Constitution. Ex-General U Shwe Mann, a close ally of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, was a former Parliament speaker and served as USDP chairman until he was removed from the post during a reshuffle in August 2015.

'Dictatorship' Remark

On, Aug. 22, 2017, military representative Major General Than Soe objected to remarks by NLD lawmaker Daw Ei Ei Pyone describing the problems in Rakhine State as a "legacy of dictatorship" and criticizing the military for not doing enough to protect local people despite its huge budget.

"What did she mean 'bad dictatorial regime?' Who did she mean? We want to know clearly. We don't accept the branding of successive governments as bad dictatorial regimes," he said.

At his request, Daw Ei Ei Pyone's comments were struck from the record.

Fiscal Year

On Oct. 23, 2017, military representatives joined USDP lawmakers in calling for reconsideration of proposed changes to the fiscal year by the Union Parliament. Military representative Major Thaung Htike Soe argued that the current fiscal year had been used for the past 40 years and that changing it would cause inconvenience.

The Union Parliament endorsed the NLD's proposal to move the start of the fiscal year to October staring in 2018.

Currency Design

On Nov. 17, 2017, the entire bloc of military appointees in the Lower House and one lawmaker from the USDP stood up in opposition to a motion to reinstate the image of the country's late independence hero General Aung San on the country's currency. Military appointee Lieutenant Colonel Kyaw Min Hlaing said the proposal should not be considered while the country's economy was growing slowly, citing the cost of redesigning and printing new notes.

The post NLD's Stiffest Opposition in Parliament Not Who Many Expected appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Gender Trumps Ability in Myanmar’s Patriarchal Society

Posted: 29 Nov 2017 03:24 AM PST

Less than two months before 2017 comes to and end, Myanmar is expecting a change in administration. This time, it will not be at the top level but on the ground, as new village and ward administrators will be elected with terms lasting until 2020.

According to Yaung Chi Thit, a community-based organization engaged in the promotion of human rights, while Myanmar has 16,743 ward and village administrators nationwide at present, only 87 of them are women—only about 0.5 percent.

The eligibility criteria laid out in Chapter 3 of the Ward and Village Tract Administration Law 2016 does not discriminate on the grounds of sex. Either men or women, 25 years of age or older are eligible to contest. But even for qualified and capable women, a glass ceiling still exists.

This is the case for a woman administrator in Karenni State.

She served as the administrator of her village for years on behalf of her busy husband who was officially elected the administrator. The village likes her as their upstanding and outspoken administrator but when she says she wants to contest the upcoming election to take the position herself, villagers shake their heads.

"My villagers don't want people to think that they had to elect me, a woman, because no man in the village was capable of doing the administrator's job. So they asked me to register with my husband's name [for the village administrator election]. But I want to serve as an administrator under my name," said the woman.

This case is a prime example of gender taking precedence over ability in Myanmar's patriarchal society.

The eligibility criteria further requires that the administrator be respected by society, serve with dignity and possess the ability to perform the assigned duties with willingness and enthusiasm to the benefit of the community and the Union.

Ability, willingness and enthusiasm are key attributes of an administrator. But even women who possess these attributes in spades are overlooked in a male-dominated society.

Daw Mon Mon Aung, the administrator of Ward (E) in Yangon's North Okkalapa Township, is one of a few women whose ability is appreciated by her community. But still she is confronted with challenges because of her gender.

"Though the job is about performing the assigned duties well, people support male administrators and say they are fit for the job while they doubt women's ability," she said.

"So, I have had to try to harder to win their trust and of course, there are more challenges," she added.

This reminds the author of what a woman administrator said at an event titled "May Toh Kabar" [Women's World] to raise public awareness about women's rights in Yangon some two years ago. "The job is two times harder for women than men. There are people who are watching whether we do the job well, and we have to prove that we can. At the same time, we have to do household chores so that the family members do not get annoyed with us," she said.

While people would praise a male administrator who neglected his family in the name of community service, they expect female administrators to handle community work and household chores at the same time. As the job involves going out with men at night for checks on unlawful activities, female administrators also have to preserve their modesty to prevent their morals being questioned by others, the administrator continued.

"Only when there is community and family that support and understand us, will we be able to truly serve the public interest," she said.

When it comes to serving the interests of the community and the country, there is a dire need for Myanmar to distinguish between actual inability and a stereotypical perception of women's inability.

In a 2016 forum on women, peace and security in Karenni State, discussions included increasing the participation of women in politics. It was not until 2012 that women's forums could be held across the country, in part because it was difficult to get permission from authorities and also because of people's attitudes toward women's issues.

While these forums used to be difficult to organize, today they demand greater female participation in politics and the peace process.

Women's voices are their strength, and it is important that these voices be heard by concerned authorities, in particular those in the legislative and executives branches. Otherwise, gender equality will remain an illusion.

In Karenni State, people often give rice to local administrators as a gesture of gratitude for their service. But this token is not granted to female administrators, locals say.

"People have yet to learn to respect female administrators. Much remains to be done in this regard," said a local.

Generally, the law allows both sexes to stand for ward and village administrator elections, but there are unwritten rules and norms that bar women.

There is a lot to be done to empower women, change the laws, and most importantly, change people's attitudes toward women.

Women's forums seek to increase women's participation in politics, as well as guarantee their safety. The safety of women in conflict zones is a pressing issue, which has led to an increase in female administrators in Karen State, where serious clashes have occurred throughout decades.

"Following armed conflicts and clashes, women filled administrator posts. Not because women were prioritized, but because male administrators were subject to investigation by both sides [Tatmadaw and non-state armed groups]. Male administrators were often threatened and tortured. But, they were less likely to do the same to female administrators," said a participant at a women's forum in Karenni State in 2016.

"We had to take on the role of administrator in order to stabilize the community. And we also have to give appropriate answers to questions from both armed sides. We were always worried about the prospect of being detained," said a female administrator from Karen State.

The ward and village tract administration law also requires that an administrator not be a member of an armed organization or in communication with an unlawful association.

So, there is a likelihood that there will be more female administrators in conflict areas.

Women have called for a 30 percent quota in parliament and government, but there must be greater efforts to link international conventions on women's rights with the country's strategies in order that that vision can become a reality.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which Myanmar ratified in 1997, mandates gender equality. Women's rights organizations and activists in cooperation with the government and parliament are obliged to link CEDAW and the National Strategic Plan for Advancement of Women (2013-22) in order that Myanmar's glass ceiling is shattered for the benefit of women as well as the country.

Nan Phyu Phyu Linn is a women's rights activist.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.

The post Gender Trumps Ability in Myanmar's Patriarchal Society appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Parents Demand Govt Take Action Against Religious Cult

Posted: 29 Nov 2017 02:05 AM PST

PATHEIN — Parents have urged the Irrawaddy regional government to abolish a Christian cult after their children who joined the group refused to return home for no apparent reason.

Parents of 14 families from the Yangon, Bago and Irrawaddy regions and Karen State and three ministers of the Irrawaddy regional government, the regional advocate-general and the chief of the regional police force met at Sakaw Karen Baptist Church in Pathein on Monday.

The Christian cult, called Soul Family, led by Mahn Kyaw Soe, has reportedly conducted 40-day classes for "would-be" disciples, most of who are around 20.

Moreover, the leader also allegedly urged his young followers to shun their parents and relatives, and arranged marriages for them without the consent of their parents.

Naw Htoo Say from Thandaunggyi Township in Karen State, who met the Irrawaddy government officials, said: "Our children refused to go back with us. After we went to take them, Mahn Kyaw Soe moved them to other places. Some parents don't even know where their children are."

"I requested the regional government abolish this group, which has been sowing discord between parents and their children, and help us get back our children," he told The Irrawaddy.

Irrawaddy Region Municipal and Religious Affairs Minister U Kyaw Myint promised to present the case to the regional cabinet meeting and take action against the cult on criminal and religious grounds.

"Many people have been affected by this cult, which is based in around nine places in Myanmar. It is likely that the more the cult expands, the more people may be affected. So, we'll gather enough evidence to charge the cult for criminal and religious offences," he said.

According to the accounts of those who have left the cult, it asked members to do unpaid jobs locally and even in Singapore on the pretext of making offerings to God, in a way that appears to be human trafficking and forced labor.

Naw Thay Hla, a former member of Soul Family, quit after attending the 40-day induction course.

"I attended the 40-day class in Kyonpyaw because my daughter encouraged me to do so. After the training, one of the group leaders, Daw Nilar Tun, said we had to make an offering [to God]. She chose six or seven people from each group.

"So, I asked her what the offering was, and she said we had to work. The cult sent young members to a shoe shop in Yangon's Sanchaung Township as well as building materials shops in Pauk Khaung. And they are not paid for their work," Naw Thay Hla told The Irrawaddy.

The cult, which has six leaders including Mahn Kyaw Soe, has branches in Singapore, Thailand's Mae Sot district, and the townships of Thandaunggyi in Karen State, Loikaw in Karenni State, Taungoo and Pauk Khaung in Bago Region, North Dagon and Sanchung in Yangon Region and Kyonpyaw, Kyaunggon, Kangyidaunt, Myaungmya and Pathein in the Irrawaddy Region, according to the Myanmar Council of Churches.

The Myanmar Baptist Convention and Myanmar Council of Churches have also distanced themselves from the group, saying that its sermons do not conform to the teachings of the Bible.

U Nyan Tun Kyaw, who is in charge of the Soul Family branch in Hlel Seik village in Kyonpyaw Township, said the group pays homage only to God in line with the freedom of religion bestowed to citizens, and denied it was a Christian cult.

The group has not registered with the government as a religious organization and has no plan to do so, he said.

The wages earned by the members are used to buy food, which is shared among members, he added. "Members share labor and food as a community," U Nyan Tun Kyaw said.

Regarding the parents' claim that their children are refusing to return home, he said, "It is nothing to do with us. It is their personal freedom."

The Irrawaddy regional government has banned gatherings for prayers at the house of U Nyan Tun Kyaw in Hlel Seik village, and warned it would take legal action if the ban were violated.

Parents also sent letters on Monday to Union Religious Affairs Minister Thura U Aung Ko and Irrawaddy Region Chief Minister Mahn Johnny, urging them to outlaw the cult.

The post Parents Demand Govt Take Action Against Religious Cult appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Cambodia PM Leaves for China to Seek More Aid

Posted: 28 Nov 2017 11:41 PM PST

PHNOM PENH — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, under Western donor pressure over a crackdown on his critics ahead of 2018 elections, will seek more aid and investment from China during a visit this week, his aide said.

Hun Sen's aide, Sry Thamrong, said the prime minister will attend a special summit on Nov. 30-Dec. 3, which will be held by the Communist Party of China (CPC) with other political parties under Chinese President Xi Jinping's theme, turning the world for the better and without interference.

Hun Sen will also meet President Xi and Chinese investors to talk aid and investment with the aim of creating more jobs in Cambodia, Sry Thamrong said.

"Especially, we need more bridges on the Mekong River. We also need many more roads, trains, sky trains. These are the things that we need in the future," Sry Thamrong told reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport before the departure.

China is already the biggest donor to Cambodia and its support has bolstered Hun Sen in the face of criticism of what his opponents say amounts to the destruction of democracy.

The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was banned earlier this month by the Supreme Court at the government’s request. That followed the arrest of its leader Kem Sokha for plotting to take power with American help.

The United States has stopped election funding ahead of next year's general election and threatened further concrete steps. The European Union has raised a potential threat to Cambodia's duty free access.

China has supported Cambodia's crackdown, making no criticism of the government, which is one of Beijing's most important allies in Southeast Asia after more than three decades in power.

The post Cambodia PM Leaves for China to Seek More Aid appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Eight Die in Magwe Coal Mine Blast

Posted: 28 Nov 2017 11:11 PM PST

YANGON — Eight people were killed in a coal mine collapse in Minbu Township in Myanmar's central Magwe Region on Monday, while four others—two Chinese supervisors and two Myanmar miners were injured and are still receiving treatment at a local hospital.

The accident happened after a pipe used for injecting oxygen into the tunnel of the mine exploded, chief of the regional fire services department U Aung Win Sein told The Irrawaddy.

The blast took place at a depth of about 45 to 90 meters in a tunnel of the coal mine, which is owned by Han Htet Co.

"They died for two reasons, some were deprived of oxygen, and some were killed in the collapse," he said.

Five bodies were recovered on Tuesday and rescue operations were ongoing to retrieve three others, he added.

The inside of the Han Htet coal mine after the collapse. (Photo: Yan Aung Htun / Facebook)

U Hsan Tun, the administrator of Ngape Township, said: "It seems that the oxygen pipe blasted and the vibration resulted in the collapse. According to the photos taken by firefighters, it seems that the mine collapsed inside."

Firefighters, police, departmental personnel and locals have joined the rescue efforts. Among those killed were a Chinese supervisor, an interpreter and Myanmar miners, he said.

The Magwe Region government permits 40 coal mines in the region and imposes a tax of 3,000 kyats per ton for production.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.

The post Eight Die in Magwe Coal Mine Blast appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Thai Police Arrest 16 Protesting Against Coal-fired Power Plant

Posted: 28 Nov 2017 09:32 PM PST

BANGKOK — Thai authorities have arrested 16 people who were protesting against the construction of a coal-fired power plant, drawing criticism of the military government from rights activists and environmentalists.

The planned power plant in the southern province of Songkhla will consist of two 1,000-megawatt units, and is part of a power development plan to 2036, but activists object to its expected environmental and health impact on communities in the area.

The 16 protesters were arrested on Monday as they travelled from Thepa district, the site of the plant, to the provincial capital to present a petition to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who was due in the city on Tuesday for a meeting.

"This incident shows the true face of Thailand's military dictators, who have committed a long list of abuses and repressions since the May 2014 coup," Sunai Phasuk, Thailand researcher for US-based group Human Rights Watch, told Reuters.

Six protesters were injured in a scuffle with police, said anti-coal activist Supat Hasuwannakit.

"The use of force was uncalled for," Supat told Reuters.

A few police officers were injured, police said, adding that the 16 had been charged with blocking traffic, assaulting authorities, and resisting arrest. Police have requested that a court detains them.

Tara Buakamsri, country director for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, said in a statement the action against the protesters reflected a "complete failure" by the government to promote a peaceful and inclusive society.

"The Thepa power plant has no legitimacy to be built," the group said.

The first unit of the power plant is due to begin operating in 2021.

Its environmental health impact assessment was completed in August and is pending approval by the National Environment Board.

The post Thai Police Arrest 16 Protesting Against Coal-fired Power Plant appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Pope Calls for Peace in Myanmar on Diplomatically Fraught Trip

Posted: 28 Nov 2017 09:24 PM PST

YANGON — Pope Francis called on the people of Myanmar on Wednesday to embrace peace and reconciliation as their country emerges from nearly five decades of military rule still riven by ethnic conflicts and communal strife.

The pope made his appeal at an open-air mass in Yangon on the third day of a visit fraught with diplomatic risk over a military crackdown that has triggered the flight of about 625,000 Muslim Rohingya from the predominantly Buddhist country.

In a speech on Tuesday, he did not use the highly charged term 'Rohingya,' following the advice of Vatican insiders who feared it could set off a diplomatic incident and turn Myanmar's military and government against minority Christians.

However, his call for justice, human rights and respect for all were widely seen as applicable to the Rohingya, who are not recognized as citizens or as members of a distinct ethnic group.

The mass exodus from Rakhine state to the southern tip of Bangladesh began at the end of August when the military launched a counter-offensive in response to Rohingya militant attacks on an army base and police security posts.

Scores of Rohingya villages were burnt to the ground, and refugees told of killings and rapes. The United States said last week that the military's campaign included "horrendous atrocities" aimed at "ethnic cleansing."

Myanmar's military has denied all accusations of murder, rape and forced displacement.

'Wounds of Violence'

Only about 700,000 of Myanmar's 51 million people are Roman Catholic. Thousands of them travelled from far and wide to Yangon to see the pope, and many attended Wednesday's mass on the grounds of what had been racecourse during British colonial times.

Among the tens of thousands there were priests, nuns, diplomats, leaders of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s ruling National League for Democracy, and members of ethnic groups in traditional garb who sang songs and waved Myanmar and Vatican flags as they waited for the pope.

"We may never get such a chance again. The pope lives in Rome and we can't afford to go there," said Bo Khin, 45, a teacher who travelled on a truck to Yangon with a group of 15 relatives from the city of Mandalay. "We feel very happy, joyful that he visited us in Myanmar."

Bells chimed as Francis arrived. Standing in the back of a white truck, he smiled, waved at the crowd and looked relaxed as he headed to a pagoda-style canopy to celebrate mass.

In his homily, he called on the country’s people to "anoint every hurt and every painful memory" and promote "the reconciliation and peace that God wants to reign in every human heart and in every community."

"I know that many in Myanmar bear the wounds of violence, wounds both visible and invisible," he said, urging them to shun temptation to seek healing from anger and revenge.

Myriad Ethnic Conflicts

Prayers were then read by members of the congregation in the Shan, Chin, Karen, Kachin and Kayan languages.

The prayer in Karen read: "For the leaders of Myanmar, that they may always foster peace and reconciliation through dialogue and understanding, thus promoting an end to conflict in the states of Kachin, Rakhine, and Shan, we pray to the lord."

When she came to power in 2016, Nobel peace laureate and longtime champion of democracy Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said her number one priority was ending multiple ethnic conflicts that have kept Myanmar in a state of near-perpetual civil war since independence in 1948.

That goal remains elusive and, although Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remains popular at home, she has faced a barrage of international criticism in recent weeks for expressing doubts about the reports of rights abuses against the Rohingya and failing to condemn the military.

Although she formed Myanmar's first civilian government in half a century, her defenders say she is hamstrung by a constitution written by the military that left the army in control of security and much of the apparatus of the state.

Vatican sources say some in the Holy See believe the pope's trip to Myanmar was decided too hastily after full diplomatic ties were established in May during a visit by Daw Aung san Suu Kyi.

Francis leaves on Thursday for Bangladesh, where he will meet a group of Rohingya refugees in the capital, Dhaka.

The post Pope Calls for Peace in Myanmar on Diplomatically Fraught Trip appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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