USDP demands govt address Ma Ba Tha’s concerns
“Whether the Ma Ba Tha continues or ceases to exist depends entirely on the policies of the NLD government,” said Nandar Hla Myint.
“Whether the Ma Ba Tha continues or ceases to exist depends entirely on the policies of the NLD government,” said Nandar Hla Myint.
The statement comes after a 23 May order by the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee for the group to cease using the Ma Ba Tha name and banner.
Advocates of interfaith harmony say a renaming of the hardline Buddhist nationalist group Ma Ba Tha, and plans to formally inject its ideology into Burma’s political sphere, will do little to staunch — and may even exacerbate — the underlying religious intolerance that the organisation has been accused of fomenting.
Following its two-day “special conference,” the group also announced that it would hereby adopt a new name – the Buddha Dhamma Parahita Foundation.
The State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee has announced a mid-July deadline that, if enforced, would effectively put an end to the public profile of the Buddhist nationalist group Ma Ba Tha.
Mainstream Buddhist clerics are among the growing chorus of voices speaking out against the divisive activities of Buddhist nationalist group Ma Ba Tha.
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Ashin Kawthala, the chairperson of the Magwe Division chapter of the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion, accused the protestors of “trying to whip up hatred”.
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A Buddhist monk who is a regional spokesperson for Ma Ba Tha said the new NLD-led government should avoid a showdown with Burma’s nationalist movement.
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Burma’s hardline monks will dodge bans on Facebook and keep using the social media giant to “tell the truth,” they said on Friday, after it barred several Buddhist nationalists for hate messages targeting Rohingya Muslims.
Myanmar Journalist Network is to be evicted from its Yangon office — news that comes just a day after they had scheduled to host a press conference called by a group of anti-Wirathu Buddhist monks.
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Ultra-nationalist monk Parmaukkha was jailed for his role in leading an ant-Rohingya protest outside the US embassy in April 2016.
Thousands of Buddhist monks gathered in Mandalay on Sunday for an event partly organised by a scandal-hit Thai temple whose abbot is wanted for questioning on money-laundering allegations.
The Union Election Commission rejects a proposal by Burmese nationalists seeking to establish a political party with an explicit goal of furthering their agenda, with the electoral gatekeeper saying its decision was made based on the country’s Political Parties Registration Law.
The Union Election Commission will need more time as it weighs approving the establishment of a new political party with a declared nationalist bent, according to the head of the electoral body.
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Pope Francis met leaders of several faiths in majority-Buddhist Burma on Tuesday, stressing the importance of “unity in diversity” but making no mention the Rohingya Muslims who have fled en masse to Bangladesh after a military crackdown.
Burma’s army has denied accusations of murder, rape, torture and forced displacement that have been made against it.
Further charges – under Section 505 (b) of the penal code – for “inciting unrest” at the demonstration remain to be heard at a later date.
Parmaukkha was denied bail today on charges of inciting unrest during an anti-Rohingya protest outside the US embassy in Yangon last year.
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There were mixed reactions to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s speech this morning on her government’s efforts to address the crisis in northern Arakan State.
Maung Thway Chon, the would-be chairman of the PUP, said, “Our policy is anti-Bengali and to lead in the development of Buddhism.”
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A spokesperson for the religious affairs ministry said that local and township chapters of the Sangha Maha Nayaka have been instructed to stop the protests.
Swe Win was remanded in custody and escorted to Mandalay, where Maha Aung Myay court agreed to release him until his trial begins on 7 August.
The Buddhist nationalist group formerly known as Ma Ba Tha once again struck a defiant tone this week, releasing a statement proclaiming: “No matter which names the association has adopted, no changes will be made in terms of the standpoint of the association.”
A Muslim man was attacked by Buddhist nationalists after a neighbour heard him talking about religion and told the Ma Ba Tha.
At least two nationalists have been arrested in connection with a mob search in Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township for alleged undocumented Rohingya’s.
Supporters have rallied behind embattled journalist Swe Win after a defamation complaint was filed against him on behalf of extremist monk Wirathu.
A case was opened against Swe Win, the editor-in-chief of news outlet Myanmar Now, under Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law on Tuesday evening, the defendant himself confirmed on Facebook.
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Around 100 Buddhist monks and nationalists in Burma staged a protest against Thailand on Friday, denouncing the government of the neighbouring country for its actions against a temple that has defied orders to hand over a wanted monk.
UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee gave a sombre review of Burma’s human rights progress after her second tour of the country under the NLD government.
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More than 65,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled conflict-torn northern Arakan State in recent months, seeking shelter across the border in Bangladesh, according to startling figures released by the United Nations this week.