US should push Myanmar to guarantee religious freedom: expert

Suggests a binding agreement that 'establishes clear commitments with defined measures of success'.

Myanmar:  The US must make religious freedom a top priority with Burma (Myanmar) if there is hope for the southeast Asian country to make progress as a rights-based democracy, said a leader in religious liberty.

“First and foremost, the United States should ensure that religious freedom and related human rights remain a high priority at all levels of engagement with the Burmese government. Consistency in these efforts is key,” said Dr Zuhdi Jasser of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.

“It will be nearly impossible for Burma to proceed with a democratic form of government that respects and promotes rights if it does not also honor and respect genuine religious freedom,” he said.

Rohingyas and other Muslims, as well as Chin and Kachin Christian communities, have faced harsh persecution and intolerance in Burma.

The US must prioritize religious freedom in future dealings with Burma, perhaps to the point of a binding agreement “under the International Religious Freedom Act,” and which “establishes clear commitments with defined measures of success,” Jasser said.

“Critically, a binding agreement would clearly place the burden for action on the Burmese government to protect the rights of the entire populace,” he concluded.

Source: Catholic News Agency