UN calls for discussions to help prevent further communal clashes in Rakhine between Buddhists and R

One person was killed and 10 others were wounded in a confrontation on Friday between the authorities and Muslim protestors over the killing of a fisherman. Violence between Muslims and Buddhists in Rakhine last year left more than 200 people dead and 140,000 homeless, according to the UN.

“The UNHCR has repeatedly asked for holding peaceful discussions to build understanding between the Myanmar government and the Bengalis. We believe that holding that kind of discussion can hinder the clashes that may occur in the future,” said Adrian Edwards, spokesman for the UNHCR in Geneva.

The appeal came after Quintana arrived in Rakhine as part of a 10-day visit of Myanmar to assess the human rights situation in the country. 

Quintana visited many places in Rakhine including IDP camps for Muslim communities that were displaced from their homes following the communal violence. The UN Special Rapporteur has been critical of the authorities’ efforts to prevent violence and help quell religious tensions because of discriminatory policies. 

Buddhist Rakhine groups however protested the UN envoy’s arrival in Sittwe on Monday, saying he has ignored local residents and only met with displaced Muslim communities that they consider illegal Bengali immigrants. He has also been criticised for his “disrespectful” manners while meeting a venerable monk in Sittwe.

“He was wearing his shoes on the monastery ground. He only took off his shoes when he went inside the building, but he did not take off his socks. I understand that he doesn’t have to pay obedience to the venerable monk due to religious differences but he shouldn’t have sat cross-legged in front of the venerable monk,” said a monk from Shwezedi Monastery.

Many ethnic Rakhine citizens see the UN as being one-sided in their efforts to provide assistance to victims of the recent clashes. Quintana proceeded to Kachin state and arrived back in Yangon yesterday.