Turkey’s Erdogan Condemns ‘Buddhist Terror’ in Myanmar

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at a Monday meeting in Istanbul. Photo: Pool / Associated Press

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Myanmar of engaging in “Buddhist terror” against the minority Muslim Rohingya population.

In a speech in Istanbul Monday, Erdogan said even though a “clear genocide” was taking place in Myanmar, Buddhists are depicted as “envoys of goodwill.”

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He said: “At the moment, there is a Buddhist terror going on in Myanmar … It’s not something that can be hidden through yoga and such things.”

The Turkish leader, who has been outspoken on the plight of the Rohingya, also accused the international community of remaining indifferent and of failing to sanction Myanmar’s government.

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Erdogan said: “There should be sanctions so that (Myanmar) tidies up its act.”