The Pope speaks of the genocide of Muslims in Myanmar: Respect Each Ethnic Group

Pope Francisescu said Myanmar's future depends on respecting the rights of “each ethnic group”.

The statement was interpreted as indirect support for Muslims Roingya, who have been subject to state discrimination for decades and violent military oppression in recent months.

The Pope did not mention the depression or the word “Rockya” in his speech in the capital of Myanmar, Nypidau, but said that Myanmar's people have suffered “and continue to suffer from civil conflict and hostilities”.

The Pope said that anyone who calls Myanmar home deserves to have fundamental rights guaranteed.

The head of the Catholic Church said Myanmar's future should be based on “respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society”.

“Religious standards should be, not the source of separation and distrust, but the strength for unity, forgiveness, tolerance and construction of state”, the pope said.

He gave the speech after meeting with Myanmar civil leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and other officials.

It is expected that the Pope will raise the issue of the Ringya refugees in his address, but he has not used the word “Rolingya” in public.

“Royaya” is a motivating term in Myanmar by a majority of Buddhists, where Muslims are denied citizenship and called illegal migrants “bengalyse”.

Over 600,000 Rogingya have fled Myanmar to Bangladesh since the last wave of violence has started in August.

Army sponsorship has started after several attacks by Ringya rebels in the state of Rakhine, and the Myanmar government rejects accusations that the army attacks civilians.

Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize winner, has faced strong criticism from human rights groups for its indifference to the situation of the Muslim minority. / REL/