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Hailing an election “widely acknowledged as largely free and fair”, the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) has joined “the churches and all people of Myanmar in celebrating an election process conducted and concluded successfully and peacefully.” The action was taken at the Executive Committee’s 13-18 November meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

“The WCC has in previous years repeatedly expressed its grave concerns” over the nation, the committee noted. The executive committee recognizes the historic nature of both Aung San Suu Kyi’s leadership advocating toward democracy, and current President Thein Sein’s leadership in acknowledging the democratic choice exercised by the people of Myanmar.

The committee also expressed "great regret that the Muslim Rohingya and other minority communities continue to be denied recognition as citizens" and with it the right to vote. The WCC called on the newly elected government "to deal with this concern, and to ensure respect for the human rights of all people in Myanmar."

The Executive Committee called upon “all political leaders in Myanmar to work together for a smooth government transition, for the political, social and economic progress of the country, and for the realization of human rights for all its people”.

Minute on election in Myanmar, by WCC Executive Committee 18 november 2015

WCC member churches in Myanmar