Mizzima-Sept 9
The Burmese Rohingya Organization UK (BROUK) on 8 September warned that Rohingya are being driven towards erasure from their homeland, as a new UN report documented continuing persecution by both the Burmese military and the Arakan Army. BROUK President Tun Khin addressed the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva as part of an Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the report by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. Tun Khin said there is no lack of evidence, international law or recommendations. “What has been missing is action by member states.” The report documents widespread abuses against Rohingya by both the Burmese military and the Arakan Army, including arbitrary arrests, torture, sexual violence, forced labor and forced recruitment. Restrictions on movement, food and livelihoods are compounding the persecution and making it increasingly difficult for Rohingya to survive in their homeland. Tun Khin said: “Rohingya now face two oppressors: both denying their identity, their rights and their future in their homeland.” Land seizure is entrenching Rohingya displacement and closing off the possibility of return. The report documents Rohingya being prevented from returning to their land while other communities are settled on it, with some Rohingya forced to build the new settlements. The High Commissioner warned that the Arakan Army’s seizure of Rohingya land was making return even more difficult. For those forced to flee, there is still nowhere safe to go. Around 1.2 million Rohingya remain in refugee camps in Bangladesh, where international aid cuts are worsening already desperate conditions, while persecution makes safe return to Burma impossible. For decades, the UN has documented the persecution of Rohingya and called for action. Member States failed to act, persecution escalated into genocide and Rohingya are still paying the price today. In his opening statement to the Council, the High Commissioner described the situation as “a matter of the greatest international concern” and said years of international efforts had failed. He called for a “reality check” from States in their approach to the situation. He challenged governments over their approach to the Burmese military, warning that “so-called ‘calibrated engagement’” was not enough. Any engagement with the military must demand meaningful progress in complying with international law, protecting civilians and allowing humanitarian access, with States applying political pressure for change. Read more at:
