We have learned with sorrow and concern that local Muslims were targeted in incidents that took place in Meikhtila in Myanmar on 20 March 2013, in which a large number of businesses were plundered, mosques were burned and people lost their lives.

At a time when tensions continue in the Rakhine region in the wake of the events in 2012 involving the Rohingya Muslims whose citizenship status is subject to contention, the eruption of new events, this time outside the said region and targeting Muslims who are integrated in the society and possess full citizenship constitutes a development harmful to the human rights, peace, stability and democratization process in Myanmar.

Turkey calls upon the Government of Myanmar to expeditiously bring the incidents in Meikhtila under control, apprehend their perpetrators while taking the necessary measures to prevent their outspread.