THE WORLD’S RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES  CALL FOR PEACEFUL DIALOGUE 
AND PARTICIPATORY GOVERNANCE IN BURMA

— Religions for Peace Delivers 3,000 Messages of Support for Buddhist Monks of Burma
 from People of Different Faiths —

— Multi-faith Delegation of Religious Leaders Meet with ASEAN Chair  —

Delivering the messages(NEW YORK, 19 November 2007)—Representatives of Religions for Peace, the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition, delivered to the ASEAN Chair in Singapore more than 3,000 messages of support for the Buddhist monks of Burma from people of different faiths in almost a hundred countries.

A Religions for Peace delegation representing the world’s faith traditions met with Singaporean Minister of State for Community Development, Youth & Sports, Mrs. Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, on Saturday in Singapore. Singapore is the current Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which seeks to promote economic development and advance peace in the region. ASEAN, of which Myanmar is a member, is holding its thirteenth summit in Singapore through 22 November 2007. 

The Religions for Peace delegation of Taoist, Christian, and Buddhist religious leaders included Rev. Master Lee Zhiwang, Co-President of the Religions for Peace World Council and President of the Taoist Mission in Singapore; Brother Michael Broughton, Area Director, De La Salle Brothers and President of St. Joseph’s Institution and member of the Singapore Inter-religious Organisation; Mr. Lawrence Chong, Moderator of the Religions for Peace Asian Inter-religious Youth Network; and Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, Director for Inter-Religious Council Development and Coordination at Religions for Peace–International.

The messages of support from around the world were the result of a global campaign launched by the Religions for Peace network in response to the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters by the Myanmar authorities in September. The multi-religious appeals, addressed to Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe, condemned the violence and urged the government of Myanmar to release detained protesters and enter into peaceful dialogue with the country’s religious communities and other groups. Signatories to the Burma appeal include senior religious leaders, inter-religious groups, networks of women of faith and youth groups, and individuals of different faiths from around the globe. Religious communities of the Religions for Peace global network have also issued public statements, held demonstrations and prayer vigils in support of the religious communities of Burma.

Dr. William F. Vendley, Secretary General of Religions for Peace, issued the following statement accompanying the messages of support:

“In a powerful demonstration of multi-religious cooperation, people of different faiths, their religious communities, and religious leaders are speaking out in support of the people of Burma and their religious communities.

Religions for Peace profoundly objects to the way the military government in Burma responded to  peaceful protests. Religions for Peace and the world’s faith communities are deeply concerned about the fate and well being of the Buddhist monks targeted by the military government in Burma.

Any act against the religious communities of Burma is an act against all of the world’s faith communities.

Religions for Peace calls upon the government of Myanmar to:
 
eschew violence; release all those arrested as a result of the recent protests; immediately identify the location and condition of all detained protesters, and provide them with humanitarian assistance through the Red Cross and the Red Crescent; restore and respect the sanctity of religious orders and their places of worship; release all political prisoners; and engage in peaceful dialogue with Burma’s religious communities and other groups to develop participatory governance.

The international community must work together urgently to ensure a peaceful outcome in Burma. Countries which are in close relationship with Burma should use their influence with the Myanmar authorities to begin the long process toward healing and allowing the people of Burma to freely choose their future.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations Security Council, and regional mechanisms, such as ASEAN, should use all tools at their disposal to encourage meaningful, peaceful dialogue between the military and all sectors of Burmese society, including the Buddhist religious community, all ethnic groups, and the opposition National League for Democracy.”

Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, in the presentation of the petitions to Minister Yu-Foo, encouraged the ASEAN-member governments to work together with Religions for Peace to help sustain dialogue regarding Burma through multi-religious channels.