Lanka Urged To Press Burma

April 28, 2013
The Sunday Leader

The Sri Lankan government has been urged to press the Burmese government to put an immediate stop to the abuses against the Rohingya Muslims in Arakan State.
Human Rights Watch said that the Sri Lankan authorities have witnessed the results of the crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing that are being perpetrated in Arakan state, since the navy had in February rescued Rohingya Muslims on boats that were pushed back out to sea by Thailand.
Human Rights Watch said in a new report released last week that the Burmese authorities and members of Arakanese groups have committed crimes against humanity in a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims in Arakan State since June 2012.
The 153-page report, ‘All You Can Do is Pray: Crimes Against Humanity and Ethnic Cleansing of Rohingya Muslims in Burma’s Arakan State,’ describes the role of the Burmese government and local authorities in the forcible displacement of more than 125,000 Rohingya and other Muslims and the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
In February this year 32 Myanmar nationals were rescued by the Sri Lanka navy while stranded at sea. They had later revealed that nearly 100 others were also with them and had gone missing. The navy rescued the 32 people when their damaged wooden vessel had begun to sink in the high seas.
“The Sri Lankan authorities have witnessed the results of the crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing that are being perpetrated in Arakan state, since they have rescued Rohingya on boats that were pushed back out to sea by Thailand. Sri Lanka should press the Burmese government to put an immediate stop to the abuses against the Rohingya and hold the perpetrators accountable.” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. (ER)