Description:
"No official proclamation has been made that Burma is a theocracy based on Buddhism. Yet religious riots and religious
suppression can be seen to be a direct result of divisions between Buddhist and non-Buddhist religions. It has become clear
that the ruling military regime is using religious issues for its political interests. Burmese peoples who practice other religions
have suffered from repression simply because of their religion...
All religions in Burma are subject to the political interests of the military regime. However the difference between suppression of
Buddhists on the one hand and Christians and Muslims on the other, is that there is no intention to eliminate Buddhism, whereas
suppression against Christians and Muslims is so intended. Suppression of Buddhist monks and Buddhist Burmese occurs
simply because of their involvement in politics. In contrast, the suppression of Muslims and Christians is carried out to
undermine their religions, so that Buddhism will remain as the dominant, and perhaps become the exclusive, religion.
The promotion of Buddhism by the military regime at the expense of other religions is undertaken to increase Burmese
nationalism based on Buddhism. Religions in Burma have been divided into Buddhist and non-Buddhist. There is enough
evidence to conclude that as long as the military regime is in power, religion in Burma will be divisive and oppressive..."
Source/publisher:
Legal Issues on Burma Journal No. 4 (Burma Lawyers' Council)
Date of Publication:
1999-10-00
Date of entry:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
- Individual Documents
Category:
Language:
English
Local URL:
Format:
htm
Size:
33.62 KB