European MPs have jointly condemned the violence against Myanmar's
Rohingya Muslims, and called on the government to do more to protect
them.
The European Parliament has passed a motion saying it condemns the grave
violations of human rights against the Muslim minority in Rakhine
state.
The motion says it "deplores the failure of the Myanmar government to protect the Rohingyas against organised violence."
The Rohingya diaspora has welcomed the motion, but has also called for
an international investigation into what they call a 'genocide'.
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Nurul Islam, president, Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, London
NURUL ISLAM: This is very encouraging and we're very much thankful to
the European parliament for adopting this resolution, and we take it as a
proper encouragement for the Rohingyah people.
LAM: Do you think it might improve the situation for them?
NURUL ISLAM: No, it depends actually... we hope so, but the Burmese
government is very much uncompromising, sometimes, in the case of the
Rohingya people, that's what we're afraid of. It is time for the
international and the investigation is necessary, in fact. That is very
important, because there's an Enquiry Commission formed internally by
the Burmese government, but it is completely biased. The world knows it.
And that will not bring any solution.
The recommendation given by the internal commission, is against the
Rohingya people. And there're lots of reports by the credible
international organisations, like Human Rights Watch and there's
evidence of mass graves in Arakan (Rakhine state). But these are needed
to be investigated, for these and other things, like the great
humanitarian crisis that's existing. And the segregation that's going on
there, apartheid policy has been imposed. And the two-child policy -
this is a very discriminatory policy that has been imposed.
We need international intervention, with a UN Commission of Enquiry. We
would prefer to call it a 'genocide' because the intention to destroy
our people is very much established. In that sense, you can consider it a
case of genocide. With international jurisdiction - for these, even the
responsibility to protect these people is an international
responsibility - we in the international communities. In that sense, the
international community should intervene and the (Rohingya) peoples are
protected.
LAM: Senior monks in Yangon have called for peace at a monastery in
Yangon. Do you think the Buddhist clergy is doing enough to curb
anti-Muslim, and particularly, anti-Rohingya violence?
NURUL ISLAM: They can have discussions on this but the way they're
going, to do things. Who's leading the controversial 'nine-six-nine'
movement? This is a movement against the Rohingya people in particular,
and the Muslims in general. Until now, although this 'nine-sixty-nine
movement' has done many injuries. Although it is injurious to the Muslim
community, the government has until now, taken no action against them.
Whatever changes, whatever democratic reforms take place in the country,
it is important that good sense prevails in the minds of the
government, number one.
Number two, this is the good sense prevailing in the minds of the
majority Buddhis community, and then, the democratic and the
parliamentary and political process in the country should be
all-inclusive, and the Rohingya must be a part of it, otherwise, we
don't hold hope or change the circumstances of the Rohingya people.
Because, you know, we are a people, with a history and glorious past.
We are not a floating people or infiltrators from foreign countries, as
they (the government) allege. But we have our roots deeply-rooted in
Arakan (Rakhine state) and therefore, to Burma. So our citizenship
rights and our ethnic rights must be guaranteed, must be ensured in
Burma.
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