Protecting religious freedom is a major challenge in Myanmar, says Catholic cardinal

Suzette Gutierrez Cachila Monday, May 30, 2016

A Sabah Christian uses her phone with a cross attached during a prayer to celebrate Malaysia Day at a church in Tambunan. October 07, 2012 05:14pm EDT | Reuters/Bazuki Muhammad

A Catholic cardinal in Myanmar spoke at the U.K. Parliament in London on Wednesday, May 25 about the abuses against religious freedom, saying upholding people's rights to freely worship is one of the major challenges in his country today.

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Myanmar's first cardinal, said there is a need to defend religious freedom, to fight discrimination and to ensure that everyone enjoys equal rights regardless of ethnicity and religion.

The cardinal emphasized that freedom of religion is one of "the most basic, most foundational human right of all."

"True peace and real freedom hinge on an issue that has yet to be addressed: respect for Myanmar's ethnic and religious diversity ... Without the freedom to choose, practice, share and change your beliefs, there is no freedom," he said, according to World Watch Monitor.

Myanmar was under military rule for 50 years. The military, according to Cardinal Bo, "has turned religion into a tool of oppression." This has resulted in the death and displacement of many people in the country, he added.

In places like Chin State, crosses were removed and Christians ordered to set up Buddhist pagodas where the crosses had been.

"At least 66 churches in Kachin state have been destroyed since the conflict reignited in 2011," the cardinal said.

Cardinal Bo urged Myanmar's new set of leaders to ask the United Nations' Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief to look into these problems.He also expressed precaution against a set of laws established by the outgoing government, which he says "pose a serious danger for our country."

These laws, called the "Protection of Race and Religion Laws," prohibit conversion to another religion. It also prohibits marriage between people of different faiths. Cardinal Bo said the law is an attack on people's most basic human rights.

Myanmar is listed as number 23 in Open Doors' World Watch List, which ranks countries that are most difficult to live as a Christian. Buddhists and the military are known to attack Christians who they consider a threat. Believers coming from Buddhist and Muslim backgrounds are discriminated against in the community.