Global Appeal For End of Ethnic Cleansing Against Indigenous People of Chittagong Hill Tracts

Why this is important

Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in the Indian Sub-continent is the traditional homeland to the 11 ethnic groups who today collectively identify themselves to be an ‘indigenous people’, namely the ‘Jumma’. The British colonized CHT in 1860. With the end of the British colony, the Sub-continent was partitioned into the two nations—Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Secular Democratic Republic of India—in 1947 on the basis of religion. Pakistan was formed with the Muslim majority areas, while India with the non-Muslim majority areas. CHT with 98% non-Muslims (Buddhists, Hindus and Christians) was annexed with East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in violation of the principle of the partition of the Sub-continent and without any consultation with the then leadership of the Jumma indigenous people! Such annexation is illegal, undemocratic and unfair.

Sri Lanka Council of RfP Opens Multi-Religious School in Conflict-Affected Area

After three decades of war in the Vavuniya district of Sri Lanka, the Tachibana RfP pre-school, a multi
religious center of learning, opened on 21 February and marked another significant milestone for the Sri Lanka Council of RfP (SLCRP).

The 60 children enrolled in the new school come from Sri Lanka's diverse religious communities. Studying and playing together will help rebuild bridges of trust among their families even as they receive a high-quality education in a safe, protected and calm environment.

The Tachibana RfP Pre-school was opened with the financial assistance of Tachibana Sangyo Corporation, Japan.

Senior Religious Leaders in Myanmar Reject Violence and the Misuse of Religion in Rakhine State

(Yangon, Myanmar)

Senior Buddhist, Muslim, Christian and Hindu leaders in Myanmar, collaborating as members of the working committee for Religions for Peace Myanmar, issued a multi-religious statement on June 18, 2012 in Yangon, Myanmar, to address the escalating violence and the misuse of ethnic and religious differences to fuel conflicts in Rakhine state. The senior religious leaders represent Myanmar’s major religious organizations, namely the Ratana Metta Buddhist Organization; the Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC); the Catholic Church; the Hindu Community in Myanmar; and the Islamic Center of Myanmar.

At least 50 people have been killed in fighting in Rakhine State since May 28, 2012 when a Buddhist
woman was raped and murdered in Kyauk Ni Maw village, allegedly by three members of the Muslim
Rohingya minority. The rape-murder resulted in a series of clashes across Rakhine State, which
borders Bangladesh, displacing up to 30,000 people.

Religious Leaders from the ASEAN Region Visit Conflict Zone in South Thailand and Form an ASEAN Region Multi-religious Network

PRESS RELEASE

(Bangkok and Pattani, Thailand | September 19, 2012)

Photo: Supreme Cambodian Patriarch Tep Vong [an RfP Co-President] together with a Senior Islamic Leader in conflict zone of Southern Thailand 

More than 200 religious leaders, representatives of inter-religious councils and peace scholars from the
Association of South Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, convened in Bangkok and Pattani, Thailand on 17-19 September 2012, to address the role of religion and inter-religious cooperation in resolving conflicts and building peace in the ASEAN region.

Religions for Peace Myanmar Launched to Advance Inter-Communal Harmony and Peace

PRESS RELEASE

(13 September 2012, Yangon, Myanmar)

Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Muslim communities in Myanmar together launched the Religions for
Peace Myanmar as the country’s first full-fledged representative and action-oriented inter-religious body for reconciliation, peace and development. Approximately 100 religious, diplomatic, political and civil society leaders in Myanmar and Religions for Peace International leaders joined the inauguration.