The world should address Rohingya crisis

Resettling refugees while stopping the maltreatment of ethnic minorities are global humanitarian obligations

Nearly 90,000 Rohingyas have reportedly entered Bangladesh since violence erupted in Myanmar last August. Ensuing clashes and a major military counter-offensive have killed at least 400 more. However, Myanmar's policy of exclusion of ethnic minorities - who constitute about 40 percent of its population – has apparently triggered the crisis. Additionally, Rohingyas have been allegedly subjected to persecution by the neighbouring state in the form of shooting of unarmed civilians, torture and rape.

Bangladesh, which is not anyhow linked to the crisis, has yet been handling it as a humanitarian issue to the best of its abilities.  Also it has been facing the adverse consequences of the Rohingya persecution. The point, however, the Myanmar government is deliberately ignoring to analyse history and take note that highhandedness as a state policy is unviable in the long run. Hate, prejudice and racism are evils that always find new victims.

Following the fresh spate of exodus – it is ultimately Bangladesh which is becoming forced to give food, shelter, and clothing to the helpless minority community continually being persecuted in Myanmar. The million dollar question, why should Bangladesh suffer because of a manmade internal crisis in Myanmar?

The onus of resolving the crisis is on Myanmar and the country cannot abdicate its responsibility on Bangladesh in any manner. That said - resettling refugees while stopping the maltreatment of ethnic minorities are global humanitarian obligations. It is the global condemnation that is clearly missing.  Not that nothing was done in the recent past - International bodies and commissions such as UN human rights and refugee agencies, the Rakhine Commission led by Kofi Annan and numerous other human rights groups have previously reached a common conclusion that Rohingyas should be taken back. Unfortunately, such international calls on Myanmar authorities fell on deaf ears. Also the country keeps denying visa to UN inspectors.  

We call for the international community to act fast before more torture and destruction takes place in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. The world leaders should unite and put pressure to put an end to this manmade crisis where Bangladesh has become a victim too. The world cannot escape its moral and humanitarian obligations.

The world should address Rohingya crisis

Resettling refugees while stopping the maltreatment of ethnic minorities are global humanitarian obligations

Nearly 90,000 Rohingyas have reportedly entered Bangladesh since violence erupted in Myanmar last August. Ensuing clashes and a major military counter-offensive have killed at least 400 more. However, Myanmars policy of exclusion of ethnic minorities - who constitute about 40 percent of its population has apparently triggered the crisis. Additionally, Rohingyas have been allegedly subjected to persecution by the neighbouring state in the form of shooting of unarmed civilians, torture and rape. Bangladesh, which is not anyhow linked to the crisis, has yet been handling it as a humanitarian issue to the best of its abilities. Also it has been facing the adverse consequences of the Rohingya persecution. The point, however, the Myanmar government is deliberately ignoring to analyse history and take note that highhandedness as a state policy is unviable in the long run. Hate, prejudice and racism are evils that always find new victims. Following the fresh spate of exodus it is ultimately Bangladesh which is becoming forced to give food, shelter, and clothing to the helpless minority community continually being persecuted in Myanmar. The million dollar question, why should Bangladesh suffer because of a manmade internal crisis in Myanmar? The onus of resolving the crisis is on Myanmar and the country cannot abdicate its responsibility on Bangladesh in any manner. That said - resettling refugees while stopping the maltreatment of ethnic minorities are global humanitarian obligations. It is the global condemnation that is clearly missing. Not that nothing was done in the recent past - International bodies and commissions such as UN human rights and refugee agencies, the Rakhine Commission led by Kofi Annan and numerous other human rights groups have previously reached a common conclusion that Rohingyas should be taken back. Unfortunately, such international calls on Myanmar authorities fell on deaf ears. Also the country keeps denying visa to UN inspectors. We call for the international community to act fast before more torture and destruction takes place in Myanmars Rakhine state. The world leaders should unite and put pressure to put an end to this manmade crisis where Bangladesh has become a victim too. The world cannot escape its moral and humanitarian obligations.