Rohingya diaspora calls for probe into Myanmar 'genocide'

June 14, 2013

Radio Australia

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.

Claim Thai military trafficking Rohingya refugees

June 13, 2013

ABC News

Zoe Daniel

There are new allegations that the Thai navy is involved in the human trafficking of Rohingya Muslims trying to flee religious violence in western Myanmar. The ABC has tracked down Rohingya Muslims in Malaysia who claim they were intercepted, brutally beaten and then sold to traffickers by the Thai military.

ASHLEY HALL: There are new allegations that the Thai navy is involved in the human trafficking of Rohingya Muslims trying to flee religious violence in western Myanmar.

Earlier this year, the ABC reported eyewitness claims that the Thai military had been involved in the shooting of Rohingya who had arrived on the shores of Thailand by boat.

Now the ABC has tracked down Rohingya Muslims in Malaysia who claim they were intercepted, brutally beaten and then sold to traffickers by the Thai military.

South East Asia correspondent Zoe Daniel reports.

ZOE DANIEL: His story is frighteningly familiar. He fled religious violence and anti-Muslim sentiment in western Myanmar, but on his journey to Malaysia the boat he was on reached Thai waters and was intercepted by the Thai navy.

ZAFAR AHMAD (translated): The navy arrested us and took us to an island, they took us into a forest, then they took our clothes so we had only underwear. They beat us and asked us why we came to this country. A few days later, another boat arrived and the people on it joined us.

ZOE DANIEL: Zafar is a Rohingya asylum seeker. He says the boats then had their engines removed and, under the Thai navy's push back policy, more than 200 passengers were put back on board and towed out to sea, then left to drift.

Seemingly, one boat made it all the way to Sri Lanka, making headlines when it landed. Ninety-six people had died on the way due to lack of food and water.

His boat made it back to Thai shores, towed in by a fisherman, but then the passengers were captured and sold by villagers.

ZAFAR AHMAD (translated): We spent 12 days on the sea and 12 people died before the fishing boat helped us. Then Thai Muslims gave us food while we were in the jungle but after that they sold us.

ZOE DANIEL: Earlier this year PM revealed allegations that shots were fired and at least two asylum seekers were killed after a boatload of Rohingya was intercepted by the Thai navy off Phuket.

The navy denied shooting people who had jumped into the water in an attempt to escape, along with further allegations that the navy had sold captured Rohingya to human traffickers.

But now we've tracked down more Rohingya men who make similar trafficking claims.

AN SARRULLA (translated): The navy allowed us to the shore, they spoke Thai, I did not understand. We asked for food. I don't not know if they understood but they beat us instead.

NURUL AMIN (translated): The navy beat me the whole night and then I was handed over to some Thai people in the morning. I was beaten a lot. I was then transferred again to traffickers and they beat me almost 12 times.

ZOE DANIEL: An and Nurul are new arrivals to Malaysia. If true, their claims confirm that trafficking involving the Thai navy continues, despite repeated denials by Thai authorities.

AN SARRULLA (translated): They were in uniform. They had guns in their hands. We did not know then, but we knew about it later: that we were sold.

ZOE DANIEL: Thousands of Rohingya have been living in camps since fighting broke out between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar's Rakhine state last year, many heading to Malaysia because it's a Muslim country.

Thousands are also in detention in Thailand, being held in appallingly squalid conditions. The Thai government has said they can't stay more than six months.

Yet they continue to come.

Nineteen-year-old Shabin describes fleeing from Myanmar to Bangladesh, before taking a known route to a docked ship that runs a business in human cargo because it was the only way out.

SHABIN ISLAM (translated): We were beaten on the ship, it was a trafficking ship. We had to stand in the sun in the day time. We could only sit at night. If we wanted to sleep, we would be hit by a stick and wire. The traffickers tied us with rope on our necks. We, 32 people, were tied together. They were afraid we would run away.

ZOE DANIEL: The ship was eventually stopped by the Thai navy and the passengers handed over to yet more traffickers. Those who got away paid their way out. It's believed those who couldn't pay were sold on as bonded labourers.

In Bangkok this is Zoe Daniel for PM.

Rakhine sectarian violence - one year on

June 13, 2013

IRIN News

SITTWE - One year after Myanmar's worst sectarian violence in decades, tension between the Buddhist ethnic Rakhine and Muslim Rohingya communities in the country's western Rakhine State remains high. 

An estimated 140,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), mainly Rohingya Muslims, are spread across some 80 camps and makeshift sites, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Many more who were not directly affected by the violence have lost their livelihoods as a result of movement restrictions imposed by the authorities. 

IRIN visited the Rakhine State capital, Sittwe, scene of much of the violence, to ask members of both communities about the prospects for peace and reconciliation. 

Noon Na Ha Photo: Contributor/IRIN 

Noon Na Ha, 35, Rohingya* IDP at Thea Chaung camp 

"Sure I would like to return to my village, but don't know if that is possible. My house was destroyed in the violence and I lost everything. Since then I have been living hand to mouth in this camp which is very difficult, particularly with the rainy season upon us. I don't have anything and have five children to feed. To get by I sell tea to the other camp residents and earn around 50 US cents a day. My children used to go to school, but now they don't, which is particularly hard. I don't know what will happen to them. Moreover, I don't know if we will ever be able to go back to our village. Reconciliation? That depends on the government at this point. Before the violence, I used to have a Rakhine friend, but I haven't seen her since everything happened and have no idea what happened to her. What would we say to each other?"

Daw Aye Nu Sein Photo: Contributor/IRIN

Daw Aye Nu Sein, ethnic Rakhine, spokeswoman for the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party 

"Conflict is nothing new between our communities, but given what happened last year [violent clashes in June and October] tensions are still high. Nothing is for sure. We don't want conflict. We don't want violence, but there are more and more Muslims [in Rakhine State] than ever before. The simple fact is they have more children than Rakhine people as they don't practice birth control. If we don't take control of the situation soon, the Muslims will take over as they did in the north. Even today, an increasing number of Bengalis * are crossing the border into Myanmar and nothing is being done to stop this. The government needs to sort this out, otherwise there will be more violence, and the only way to do that is by ensuring law and order, starting with the 1982 Citizenship Law. I would like to believe peace and reconciliation is possible, but it will take time. The vast majority of these people are not Burmese citizens, but illegal migrants. Of all the Muslims in Rakhine, maybe just 5 percent are actually citizens. Those that are citizens can stay - I don't have a problem with that - but the rest have no right be here. In the 17 townships of Rakhine, the ethnic Rakhine are still the majority. However, we need to keep this under control. We used to have mutual respect between the two communities. We viewed the Bengalis among us as guests in our house. Now the guest wants to take over the house, something we will never accept."

Daw Khin Htwe Photo: Contributor/IRIN

Daw Khin Htwe, 40, ethnic Kaman IDP and mother-of-three 

"I'm not Rohingya, but ethnic Kaman.** However, last year's violence did not differentiate between us. I am, after all, Muslim and married to a Rohingya man. Many ethnic Kamans are now displaced like me. My house was burned by an angry mob and I saw with my own eyes my mother-in-law struck down with a sword when she tried to stop them. As she lay bleeding, both she and her younger sister were hacked to death by an angry mob. My children witnessed this with their very eyes and two of my children were injured. Even today, they continue to have nightmares. We know who did this, but also know nothing will come of it. How can our communities ever reconcile if such crimes go unpunished? Will there be any accountability? Only if the authorities arrest and punish those responsible is there any real prospect for reconciliation. What will happen to us if we return to our homes now? It could happen all over again." 

U Aria Van Sa Photo: Contributor/IRIN

U Aria Van Sa, 40, ethnic Rakhine, head monk of the Shwe Zaydi Monastery in Sittwe 

"The root cause of this conflict is really about land occupation. The Bengalis have already taken over much of the north of the state and are now trying to do the same in Sittwe. Even today, more and more Bengalis are entering the country illegally and the authorities aren't doing anything to stop it. We will never allow this. If we do, there will be no place left for the ethnic Rakhine people. In Maungdaw Township, 96 percent of the population are Bengalis, while just 4 percent are ethnic Rakhine. This is proof of what the Bengalis are trying to do. It's all part of a grand design by Muslims to take over the world. We've seen this already in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia which were once Buddhist countries. Now they are Muslim. How did this happen? Clearly this is what is happening in Rakhine State today. 

As for the Bengali IDPs who are not citizens under the law, clearly they are refugees and should be treated as such. They should be kept in camps and provided humanitarian assistance. Otherwise, they can return to Bangladesh. Under no circumstances should they be allowed to settle outside the camps, nor enter the community without proper authorization. If a third country wants to take them, that's fine. That's for them to decide. They are refugees and have this right. Reconciliation? The Rakhine people have lost their trust with the Bengali people living amongst them. It will take a long time to rebuild that."

U Kyaw Hla Aung Photo: Contributor/IRIN

Kyaw Hla Aung, 73, IDP and Rohingya activist and lawyer 

"I would be arrested if the authorities knew where I was as they see me as a political threat, as an instigator of sorts. However, my only crime is being an educated man and a Rohingya man at that. I stood for parliamentary elections in 1990 with the National Democratic Party for Human Rights, but was arrested by the authorities and sentenced to 14 years in prison due to earlier involvement in a court case involving a group of farmers whose land had been confiscated by the township government. I was later released in 1997 at which point I joined Médecins Sans Frontières Holland as an administrative officer in Sittwe. 

I used to live downtown and my family's home of more than 68 years was destroyed on 11 June 2012. All my books and legal documents were destroyed. I lost everything. The mob didn't burn my house because they were afraid my neighbours' home, which belonged to an ethnic Rakhine family, would also catch fire. Instead they destroyed my home by hand and with pickaxes. One year on, the prospects for reconciliation remain poor as neither the government nor the Rakhine people want it. Instead, they are taking the opportunity of our forced segregation to seize our land and property. Our only hope now is with international pressure on the Burmese government."

Noor Nahar Photo: Contributor/IRIN

Noor Nahar, 50, Rohingya IDP and mother-of-four 

"My husband lives and works in Saudi Arabia so I'm alone here. When the clashes started, I never expected them to escalate like this. We lost everything in the violence and I couldn't bear to tell my husband that everything he had ever worked for was gone. Now we are IDPs and dependent on outside assistance for everything. It's strange as earlier I had many Rakhine friends and we had good relations. In fact, each Sunday we would visit each other's homes, and they would visit me during Muslim religious holidays. I had no problems with them and simply can't understand what happened. It happened so fast. Surely, there must have been people instigating this as many of these people were my neighbours. I would like to think reconciliation is still possible, but it really depends on the government. I want to be hopeful, but so far they aren't doing anything."

U Kaung San Ree Photo: Contributor/IRIN

Kaung San Ree, 70, ethnic Rakhine, editor of the Rakhine State News Journal 

"We have always had doubts and suspicions about the Bengalis living amongst us [in Rakhine State] and last year's violence proved it. This is a very complex problem and one year on, there hasn't been any progress. Even their insistence on the usage of the word Rohingya is problematic; something we will never accept. There is no such thing as a Rohingya person in Rakhine State, nor has there ever been. The British brought these people here. To be frank, usage of that word is just an attempt to create some kind of new state, to gain some kind of ethnic legitimacy in Myanmar, something we will never accept. As long as they continue to use their word, the conflict will never be resolved. We call them Bengalis because that's where they came from, and that's where they belong. The 1982 citizenship law is the best solution to resolving this problem. Those Muslims who can prove they are citizens - and they are the minority - should be allowed to stay, while the rest should be placed in refugee camps in accordance to the law. And no, under no circumstance should they be allowed back into the community."

U Aung Win Photo: Contributor/IRIN

Aung Win, 57, Rohingya IDP and father-of-three 

"How can we ever reconcile if we are segregated like this? It really depends on what the government does at this point. However, unfortunately they can continue to practice a `divide and rule' policy between us. Even today, you can see that in the levels of assistance being provided which is not equal. I want to live in peace. My neighbours back home were ethnic Rakhine and even today many of them are trying to be supportive to my family and I in the camp, which is very encouraging. Maybe the prospects for reconciliation are not good, but I'm trying to be hopeful.

Khin Myat Wai Photo: Contributor/IRIN

Khin Myat Wai, 18, ethnic Rakhine, waitress

"I have lived four years in Sittwe and never expected to see the violence I witnessed last year. Sure there had been incidents in the past, but never like this. Relations between the two communities had always been peaceful. Then one night I looked out my window and saw Bengali people running around lighting peoples' homes on fire. It was terrible. Many homes were on fire, both Rakhine and Bengali. I don't have any Bengali friends, but before the violence many of our customers were Bengali. Reconcilation? That might be possible, but it really depends on the Bengali people. After all, they are the ones that started this. However, personally, I think too much has happened between the two communities. It just might not be possible. The trust is gone and now most Rakhine people hate the Bengalis." 

*Ethnic Rakhines reject the term Rohingya and use the term Bengali instead. 

**The 1982 Myanmar citizenship law recognizes the Muslim Kaman population as one of the country's 135 official ethnic groups. 

Q&A: “The U.N. Is Too Slow to Respond to Crisis”

June 10, 2013

Inter Press Service

UNITED NATIONS - As the situation in Myanmar deteriorates, thousands of Rohingyas have fled the country in search of a safe haven. 

Reports continue to emerge depicting inhuman and squalid conditions in the temporary camps where these displaced people live. 

Local officials in the Rakhine state of Myanmar recently called for the strict implementation of a “two-child policy” on Rohingya Muslims. Even though this announcement has been condemned by human rights groups around the world, the crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar is far from over. 

In an interview with IPS correspondent Sudeshna Chowdhury, Dr. Wakar Uddin, director general of of the Arakan Rohingya Union, a non-governmental organisation incorporated in the United States, urged the international community to stand up for the Rohingyas of Myanmar, also known as Burma. 

While the international community has taken note of the sectarian violence against the community, “it is not enough,” Uddin said. 

Critics of the United Nations often cite examples from history when the world body failed to prevent such tragedies, such as the Rwanda genocide and more recently, the death of civilians in Sri Lanka. 

“How many Rohingyas have to die for the international community to respond to the ongoing crisis?” asks Uddin. 

Excerpts from the interview follow: 

Q: What are the larger implications of a two-child policy on the Rohingya Muslim population? 

A: This two-child policy is a tool employed to reduce as well as control the population of Rohingya Muslims. It is an ethnic cleansing policy filled with hate. The policy is specifically for Rohingya Muslims who are unwanted and hated by the government as well as some extremist Buddhist elements. Some experts would say that it is also a genocide policy. 

The population of Rohingyas in Myanmar has grown like the population of any other ethnic group in any part of the world. It is about three million now globally, including those in Myanmar. 

In fact, this two-child policy was there in Myanmar since 1994. However, it lacked serious enforcement. But surgical and forced operations were prevalent in remote pockets of the country. This is why it wasn’t reported widely. But now local authorities are actually stepping up the implementation of the directive. 

The authorities are trying to eliminate the population by driving them out of the country as well as putting a cap on the birth of Rohingyas. So they are controlling the population growth in both ways. Eventually, there will be no Rohingyas left in the region and then one can easily grab all their land. 

Q: So, this is not just about sectarian violence? 

A: A significant amount of land in the Rakhine state, also known as Arakan state of Myanmar, is owned by Rohingyas. Areas within this region are rich in hydrocarbons, natural gas and other resources. So, the goal is to grab these lands that belong to the Rohingyas. 

The extremist elements are trying to drive Rohingya people out of the country by making false claims. They are saying that the Rohingyas had illegally infiltrated the Arakan State of Myanmar, and that they actually belong to Bangladesh and to the state of West Bengal in India. 

But what is important to understand is the fact that the Rohingya history in the country of Myanmar dates back many centuries. 

Q: Is the violence spreading to other parts of the country as well? 

A: The Burmans are the majority ethnic group in Burma. Therefore, what we are seeing is the “Burmanisation” of the country. 

The aim is to eliminate other minority groups in Myanmar. In places like the Kachin state, people are now asking for autonomy. To begin with, violence was mainly directed against the Rohingya Muslims. But now you see Muslims, who are not even Rohingyas, being targeted by the ruling class. Slowly Hindus and Christians, too, won’t be spared as the violence escalates in the rest of the country. 

Q: What is the current situation of those who are displaced? 

A: The most vulnerable are the women and children. From lack of medicines to malnutrition to squalid conditions - you name it. Monsoons are coming so the situation is going to deteriorate further. The internally displaced persons (IDPs) are therefore at a huge risk. 

What is most disturbing is the emergence of sex slave camps where Rohingya women are raped and used as “sex slaves” by Burmese forces. These women have nowhere to go. The authorities provide them with food and shelter. In return they exploit them. 

While incidences of rape do get reported in the media once in a while, there is no systematic data collection or records that can give us an estimate of how many women have been raped. 

Q: How are the neighbouring countries and the international community dealing with this situation? 

A: Some of these Rohingya Muslims took shelter in neighbouring countries, such as India, Thailand and Bangladesh. But we are talking about 1.5 million people here in Arakan. Absorbing them will not solve the Rohingya issue. The root cause of the problem needs to be addressed here. One has to give them their rights. Proper education and jobs will help solve this crisis. 

As far as the role of international community is concerned, it is only now that people outside Burma are paying some attention to the plight of the Rohingyas. 

As members of the Rohingya diaspora, we have to continuously work towards keeping the discussion alive, and keep reminding people that the Rohingyas are suffering and a permanent solution is important to solve the crisis. 

But the international community, like the United Nations, is very slow in responding to such emergencies. Moreover, it is too bureaucratic in nature. Historically, the international community has been very slow in its response when it comes to intervention during such situations. 

So, those capable of intervening wait until a certain number of people die. Before that they do not take action. 

Also one must understand that until very recently Burma was a closed country. International media did not have much access to the region. It was only after the mass killings last year that the international community, including the media, took notice of the Rohingya crisis.

Rohingya genocide needs international heed to stop: James Jennings

May 1, 2013

Press TV

Press TV has conducted an interview with James Jennings, the president of the Conscience International from Atlanta to shed more light on the issue of Muslims in Myanmar.

What follows is a rough transcription of the interview. 

Press TV: Mr. Jennings, why is the international community silent on the issue of Muslims in Myanmar? What makes this most persecuted Muslim minority left defend for themselves? 

Even we see the police force there standing idly and watching in cold blood how bad these people are being treated by others? 

Jennings: This is a major problem, it is a long-term problem, it is one that Ban Ki-moon of the United Nations has said is one of the greatest humanitarian problems if not the greatest one in the world and the reason is this, that the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine province of Myanmar are people who are stateless, not only are they stateless but they are really unwanted in the country and as far as Bangladesh is concerned they also do not want them to return back to Bangladesh. 

Many of them have been there for hundreds of years. 

Now the situation is hardening, the people who are the majority group in the country are very determined to suppress the Rohingya Muslims and this, I think, is a very ominous turn of affairs.

Press TV: Of course, I mean the ultimate question that comes to mind is that what can be done to address this issue? I mean is there any practical solution to this? 

Jennings: There is a very practical solution and that is that the international community can act in concert. 

Of course the United Nations has a role but just today I saw, in the most recent Foreign Affairs Magazine, a long advertising section touting the benefits of doing business with Myanmar. 

Myanmar is emerging as one of the most important countries in Asia, it will be as important politically as Vietnam was in the 60s and 70s. 

There are great business opportunities there but there are also great conflicts in the country and the North for example, their war with the Kachins is ongoing and there have been other conflicts with the Chins and the Karens and other tribal groups but this particular problem, I think, even though the number of people killed and the increasing pressure on the Rohingya community is terrible. 

There is something that is even worse than that and that is that there are people in the majority community, who are asking for the suppression of the birthright among the Rohingyas. 

Now that is something that we saw in the World War II and have seen it maybe in a few places since then. 

I can think of places in Central Asia where tribal groups are attempted to be suppressed in their birthright.

This is very close to a genocidal attempt and must not be countenanced. Fortunately the government has not taken that stance yet but they have recommended stronger military means.

So I think that this conflict deserves the attention of the world and it can be alleviated, I think in part, if there is a determined and concerted effort on the part of the international community.

Rohingya Muslims grapple with Israeli-style repression: Mark Mason

Wed Apr 3, 2013 

PressTV

Mark Mason

So here we have people who are effectively very much, the Rohingya Muslims are very much like the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. They are a stateless people. Burma has refused to acknowledge that they are citizens. They are a stateless people. People who don’t have citizenship; they are driven into slave labor working on roads, railways and pipelines. So this is a horrendous human rights violation here in South Western Burma.”

Related Viewpoints:

An analyst says the sufferings of Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims who are forced into slave labor and subject to horrendous human rights violation is reminiscent of the Palestinian plight.

The comment comes as the Human Rights Watch has called on Myanmar’s government to adopt effective measures aimed at putting an end to attacks against the Rohingya Muslims in the Asian country.

In a statement released on Monday, the New York-based human rights group said security forces stood by and allowed deadly violence and arson attacks against Muslims to continue for days. The New York-based rights group then called on Naypyidaw to investigate the issue and bring to justice those responsible for violence in the central city of Meiktila between March 20 and 22.

More than 40 people were killed in the chaos and 12,000 others were driven from their homes in the spate of violence.

Press TV has conducted an interview with political commentator, Mark Mason, in San Francisco to further discuss the issue. What follows is an approximate transcription of the interview.

Press TV Mr. Mason first of all there is a lot of questions now on how involved the Myanmarese government is in the violence?

Mason Well, they’re directly involved, the military junta and the military security forces are directly involved in citing conflicts between the Burmese, I will refer to the country as Burma if you will allow me in South Western Burma between Burmese Buddhists and the ethnic group called Rohingya Muslims. They are about 800,000 population in South Western Burma.

About 125,000 of them have been driven off of their land; their villages burned; individuals have been murdered by state military troops, rapes, horrible crimes against humanity have been committed against the Rohingya Muslims in South- Western Burma.

And all this connects back in again with gas and oil, natural gas and oil, they’re being driven off of their lands because of the coming state of Burma will be releasing off-shore oil and gas leases next month that will be used for the construction of a Shwe pipeline that will funnel oil and gas from the Bengal offshore Western Burma into Yunnan [province], China providing about six percent of Chinese oil and gas needs.

So here we have people who are effectively very much, the Rohingya Muslims are very much like the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. They are a stateless people. Burma has refused to acknowledge that they are citizens. They are a stateless people. People who don’t have citizenship. They are driven into slave labor working on roads, railways and pipelines. So this is a horrendous human rights violation here in South Western Burma.

VG/JR 

Source:Here

Muslim nations must move to stop Rohingya massacre: James Jennings

Muslim nations must move to stop Rohingya massacre: James Jennings

Fri Mar 29, 2013 

PressTV

James Jennings

Well I think nobody is going to come to their rescue right now except, unless the international community and I think it is better for the UN and the international community including the Muslim nations to try to use influence on the central government to ease what is happening against the Rohingyas which is really outrageous."

A political analyst says th

A political analyst says the UN and the international community including the Muslim nations must put pressure on Myanmar government to end the ongoing violence against Rohingya Muslims in the Southeast Asian country.

The comments came after the United Nations said there are reports showing the government of Myanmar has been involved in recent deadly violence against Rohingya Muslims. This is while Muslim leaders in Myanmar have also criticized state officials for failing to act against deadly attacks on country's Muslims, blaming security forces for standing by as assailants go on rampage.

Press TV has conducted an interview with James Jennings, president of Conscience International, to further discuss the issue. What follows is an approximate transcription of the interview.

Press TV: James Jennings, a few months back when these clashes were reported, it was also reported that government forces were standing by as these Buddhists were attacking these Muslim minority population homing in on the Rohingyas and in some cases they were participating in that and now you have the President Thein Sein saying, he was threatening to use force. What is exactly going on here?

Jennings: Well first of all Myanmar is a very important country in South East Asia. That is demonstrated by the fact that one of the first trips that Obama has made in his second term was to Myanmar to consolidate that relationship but within the country there are many, many problems and after discussing the very critical issue on the Korean Peninsula, I hesitate to say that the difficulties in Myanmar will be with us for a very long time.

Right now the majority Buddhist population has several minority problems that they are dealing with. One of them is with the Rohingya Muslims. And the real, heart of the problem there is that the Rohingyas have not been accredited status within the country of Myanmar or Burma and without that citizenship status, I am afraid that not only the persecution but the repression and then the ethnic violence will continue.

Press TV: Well since you talked about the US, we know that Myanmar shares a border with China and they are obviously establishing some military bases there.

Is the US looking at Myanmar and not coming down on the government as hard as they should based on the strategic importance that it plays vis-à-vis China?

Jennings: Well it is a delicate balance with the new government that is emerging. You must remember we had over 50 years of military dictatorship, a closed country and now that is changing with the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi but I do not think that either the government there is stable enough or the US influence is strong enough to really make a difference at this point.

And when we just recently heard a retrospective on the Vietnam War and many of the military officers from the US force were saying that certainly that was a failure and a failure of political imagination to begin with that we do not want to see the same kind of relationship in South East Asia again.

But Myanmar is certainly an important country. It has many ethnic minorities. Right now the central government is fighting. They are catching rebellions, the Kachins on the East bordering to China and also in the South of the country, the Karens.

This is really delicate and difficult problem. We do not want to see a repetition of what happened in Vietnam but it is not easy to sort it out. An US influence so I think is very limited.

Press TV: So who is going to save these Muslims especially the Rohingyas, who is going to come to their rescue?

Jennings: Well I think nobody is going to come to their rescue right now except, unless the international community and I think it is better for the UN and the international community including the Muslim nations to try to use influence on the central government to ease what is happening against the Rohingyas which is really outrageous.

They are being treated not as a minority but as non-existent persons and that is where the danger comes of what we have already seen the displacement of people, also the killing of many of those people and the unrest is not lessening right now, it is actually increasing with the majority Buddhist population getting very involved in the issue.

AHK/JR

Source:Here