‘The Elders’ urge Myanmar to address religious strife

[rug]

In this September 25, 2013 photo, Myanmar President Thein Sein, second from right, poses for photos with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, second from left, former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, right, and Norway's former Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland during their meeting at Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. (AP)

YANGON, September 26, 2013
Updated: September 26, 2013 17:18 IST

AP - Jimmy Carter and two other former world leaders who are part of a group known as “The Elders” wrapped up a visit to Myanmar on Thursday with calls to address spiralling Buddhist-led violence against minority Muslims.

“No one can afford to ignore these senseless, destructive, repeated acts of brutality,” the group said in a press release.

“This is a very serious problem for the world community,” the former U.S. President said, adding how it is tackled by the new quasi-civilian government will be a “key test as to whether Myanmar is going to honour international standards of human rights.”

They also praised Myanmar’s transition from a half-century of military dictatorship to a budding democracy, pointing to the release of thousands of political prisoners, ceasefire agreements with many of the country’s armed ethnic groups and an end to censorship.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/the-elders-urge-myanmar-to-address-religious-strife/article5171232.ece

Press release:

http://www.theelders.org/article/elders-encourage-all-parties-myanmar-advance-national-reforms-support-peace-accords

http://www.theelders.org/

[Jim__]

1. Jimmy Carter, still doing good work. - n/t

[cbayer]

2. +1. He is just an all around good guy.