A/HRC/43/18 rule, with people conditioned to accept information with limited critical thinking. These factors have contributed to widespread disengagement, apathy and the lack of sympathy towards the Rohingya’s plight within the majority population and among other minorities. 32. It is important to recognize that below the surface, there is also an accumulation of uncertainties and anxieties about the rapid political, economic and social changes that the country has been experiencing since 2011 and the prospects for the future. The dramatic changes that came almost overnight after half a century of military rule has destabilized the fabric and norms of society, and has triggered fears of losing group identity. The majority population also carries social and economic grievances in a context of highly visible inequality and widespread cronyism and corruption. The 2015 elections generated an expectation of a dramatic change in people’s lives, but frustrations with the slow pace of reform and economic opportunity have provided fertile ground for scapegoating and religious and identity-based extremism. 33. There is widespread suspicion about the role of outside actors in Myanmar, including the United Nations and other countries, as well as investors pursuing development and infrastructure projects. This is particularly evident in Rakhine State, where the ethnic Rakhine (Arakan) people, a non-Burman ethnic group, have also suffered marginalization and deprivation.59 In the past years, the perception of bias on the part of the international community in favour of the Rohingya against the Rakhines appears to have exacerbated the anti-Rohingya sentiments. The recommendations made by the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State provide a comprehensive roadmap to address the security, humanitarian and development needs of all communities in Rakhine State. III. Conclusions and recommendations 34. Myanmar stands at a critical point in its democratic transition. The 2020 general elections, the renewed initiative for constitutional reform and the ongoing peace process present important opportunities to address the root causes of human rights violations against minorities and to shape a common vision for the future. Fundamentally, this requires an immediate cessation of ongoing violations, an end to systemic impunity, and a comprehensive State reforms on democratic federal lines that removes the control of the military and ensures its accountability to elected civilian authorities. The shift also requires recognizing and addressing the legacies of the decades of violence, discrimination and exclusion as the main obstacle to peaceful coexistence and to the fulfilment of the promise of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda for a peaceful and inclusive society that leaves no one behind. 35. Myanmar has a historic opportunity to develop a strong minority rights and nondiscrimination regime that recognizes, protects and fulfils the rights of all. Putting in place legal and institutional guarantees for equality for all requires dismantling the current system of discriminatory laws, policies and practice, and adopting positive measures to effectively promote and protect equality for all and minority rights. Key international standards, including those set out in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action60 and the Rabat Plan of Action on prohibition of national, racial or religious hatred,61 provide guidance for the elaboration of national strategies, policies, programmes and legal frameworks that promote tolerance, encourage positive inter-religious and inter-communal communication, and serve to counter advocacy of hatred that incites violence, hostility, intolerance and discrimination. 36. Achieving equality and self-determination for religious and ethnic minorities also requires Myanmar to realize the goal of federalism and devolution of power committed to by all parties in the peace process. Given the deeply entrenched discrimination and inequalities in Myanmar, it may also be necessary to introduce affirmative action measures to achieve 59 Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, Final Report, Towards a peaceful, fair and prosperous future for the people of Rakhine (August 2017). 60 https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/Durban_text_en.pdf 61 A/HRC/22/17/Add.4, appendix. 11