Tag: Freedom of Religion
How religion is being used to win power in Myanmar
In Myanmar this month, an extremist monk gave a speech laden with the language of hate aimed at stirring sentiment against Muslims, flouting Buddhist teachings in doing so. Meanwhile, a high-ranking member of the National League for Democracy (NLD) opposition who gave a speech about the Buddha and Buddhist...
Human traffickers abuse and kill, say Rohingya asylum seekers
Since 2012, more than 100,000 stateless Rohingya Muslims have fled violence and poverty in Myanmar. Most travel in traffickers' boats to Thailand, where they are held by traffickers in squalid jungle camps before a ransom is paid.
Published: January 29, 2015 08:04 AM
BUKIT MERTAJAM, Jan 29 ― Abul Kassim, a...
Myanmar’s draft religious laws ‘illegal’
A package of draft laws aimed at protecting religion in Buddhist-majority Myanmar has been condemned by a coalition of civil rights groups who say the legislation will incite hatred.
Joshua Carroll Wednesday, January 28, 2015
YANGON – A package of draft laws aimed at protecting religion in Buddhist-majority Myanmar has been...
A mass call from Myanmar’s civil society to drop ‘Nation, Race and Religion’ bills
The four proposed bills to “Protect Nation, Race, and Religion,” have been accused of contravening a number of national and international frameworks, including the constitution of Myanmar, by 180 civil society organisations
28 January 2015 | Written by Matt Roebuck | Published in Myanmar
The four proposed bills to “Protect Nation,...
Faith and peace a good mix for Asean stability
In a religiously and ethnically diverse region such as Asean, there is a close connection between religious freedom and peace and security. Conversely, persecution and violations of religious freedom raise the risk of conflict that can threaten national and regional security, a new study shows.
Published: 2/02/2015 at 01:41 PM
Newspaper...
Myanmar condemns UN official for using term “Rohingya”
Myanmar on Wednesday condemned a UN official for using the term Rohingya to describe a persecuted minority that the government refers to as Bengali, which implies they are illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh
February 4, 2015
YANGON : Myanmar on Wednesday condemned a UN official for using the term Rohingya to...
Gov’t, MILF in backchannel talks to return SAF arms
It might not happen in an instant as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is still in the process of tracking down weapons, the chief government negotiator says
Angela Casauay
Published 9:58 AM, Feb 05, 2015
Updated 10:15 AM, Feb 05, 2015
MANILA, Philippines – In a bid to save the peace process, the...
Sentencing of five Lao Christians draws criticism
The sentencing of five Christians by a Laos provincial court earlier this month for violating the country’s laws governing medical practice by praying for the health of a dying woman has drawn sharp criticism from international rights groups.
Defendants given nine months in prison for 'being illegal doctors' after they...
Lao Authorities May Release Christians Jailed for ‘Illegally Practicing Medicine’
Some of five Christians jailed in Laos for “illegally practicing medicine” after they prayed for a dying woman’s recovery may soon be released, according to an official responsible for religious affairs in the country’s Savannakhet province.
2015-02-20
Some of five Christians jailed in Laos for “illegally practicing medicine” after they prayed...
Asean must be prudent on Islamic State
With a few hundred fighters from Indonesia, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines active in the Islamic States (IS) in Syria and Iraq, Asean must take concrete action now to tackle the issue of their activities head-on and in comprehensive ways.
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation February 23, 2015 12:09 am
Since the last...
