Stop humanitarian tragedy in Myanmar: Inter-religious intellectuals

An alliance of inter-religious intellectuals expressed their deep concern over the humanitarian tragedy befalling the Rohingya and Karen communities in Myanmar, saying Indonesia should play an active role, either solely or through the ASEAN forum, in ending the ethnic cleansing.

The Hindu Intellectual Association (ICHI), Indonesian Muslim Intellectual Association (ICMI), Indonesian Catholic Scholars Association (ISKA), Nadhlatul Ulama Scholars Association (ISNU), Indonesian Buddhist Intellectual Association (ICBI) and Christian Intelligentsia Association (PIKI) made the joint statement on Thursday in response to the escalating situation in Myanmar and the slow moves from ASEAN.

“We are all of the same point of view that all kinds of abuses and discrimination must be stopped because they are against the values of a fair and civilized humanity. All international institutions like the UN, regional forums like ASEAN and Indonesia must make all efforts to end the humanitarian tragedy in Myanmar,” ICHI General Secretary I Ketut Budiasa said in a joint press conference.

Deputy House Speaker Priyo Budi Santoso, also chairman of ICMI, said Indonesia and ASEAN should intensify their diplomacy to have the Myanmar rulers end the ethnic cleansing and pay higher respect to pluralism.

He said that Indonesia should learn from the Myanmar tragedy to avoid any kind of sectarian conflict and accept the pluralism which was a valuable gift from God to the Indonesian nation.

PIKI Chairman Cornelius D. Ronowidjojo said that the intellectual associations would also meet with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to deliver their support on the Rohingnya issue. (lfr)