Rohingya migrants sit in a boat drifting in the Andaman Sea in this file photo. Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon has called on Myanmar's government to stop the persecution of minorities and for an investigation into alleged abuses, in his Eid al-Fitr holiday message. (Photo by Christophe Archambault/AFP)
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon has called for an end to continuing persecution of minorities throughout Myanmar, particularly against the Muslim Rohingya minority in Rakhine State.
"Millions are now in poverty, millions in unsafe migration, forced into modern forms of slavery," Cardinal Bo said in a message to mark the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday.
"The sad and the pestering suffering of the people in Rakhine State has been one of my great concerns," the cardinal's message said.
The cardinal reiterated a previous call for allegations of rights abuses, and war crimes to be independently investigated.
He called on Myanmar's government to "work with the international community to investigate crimes reported by the United Nations, in a truly independent way that results in justice and accountability."
He said the world is judging Myanmar on how the Rohingya are treated in Rakhine.
Myanmar must move away from positions not conducive to peace, Cardinal Bo said, adding that people who support the Rohingya need to move forward "maximizing peace based on justice at every opportunity."
"Continued pressure coupled with an openness to engage all parties is the way forward," the message said, adding that, "all parties need to be brought together in unity" and not divided.