Bangladesh PM’s noble gesture

The injustice suffered by the Rohingyas in the Rakhaine state of Myanmar is unacceptable in the modern world

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made the right humanitarian response to the Rohingya crisis when she said yesterday that if Bangladesh can provide for 16 crore people, it can also accommodate several lakhs of Rohingyas undergoing persecution in the hand of Myanmar government. This sunny humanity is in stark contrast with the barbaric actions of Myanmar authorities which first robbed the persecuted people’s citizenship rights and later their identity as ‘Rohingya’.

The injustice suffered by the Rohingyas in the Rakhaine state of Myanmar is unacceptable in the modern world. Yet the international response to solve the crisis leaves a lot to be desired. The problem remains mired in the geopolitical game of global powers. Though the plight of Rohingyas could draw sympathy from some countries of the world, it failed to move many others. Up until now they have been content paying only lip service regarding the problem.

It was because of Chinese veto, backed by Russia, a short UN Security Council statement was blocked in March this year. This time also, it is apprehended that UNSC’s move on Rohingya crisis would be hamstrung.

Regionally, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with Myanmar government’s concern with its security over the Rohingya issue in his recent visit to Myanmar. Therefore, if Bangladesh wants to solve the problem permanently it has to closely work with these two regional players and convince them about the legitimate rights of Rohingyas in Myanmar.

Some Muslim countries have expressed, but Muslim countries have their own platform—Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC)—to address a problem like this. This forum ought to sit on this issue on an urgent basis and find out ways to put pressure on Myanmar so that it stops atrocities in the Rakhine over this section of Myanmar citizens. Things can change for the better if OIC and its member countries are sincere enough.

Since Bangladesh, as a neighbouring country, is directly bearing the brunt of what is Myanmar’s internal problem, it can take a lead to move the OIC also, besides UN, for taking tough action against Myanmar. It is expected that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government would be able to translate its present resolve to act tough on the matter as expressed in Sheikh Hasina’s words that injustice against this minority community would not be tolerated any more.   

Bangladesh PMs noble gesture

The injustice suffered by the Rohingyas in the Rakhaine state of Myanmar is unacceptable in the modern world

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made the right humanitarian response to the Rohingya crisis when she said yesterday that if Bangladesh can provide for 16 crore people, it can also accommodate several lakhs of Rohingyas undergoing persecution in the hand of Myanmar government. This sunny humanity is in stark contrast with the barbaric actions of Myanmar authorities which first robbed the persecuted peoples citizenship rights and later their identity as Rohingya. The injustice suffered by the Rohingyas in the Rakhaine state of Myanmar is unacceptable in the modern world. Yet the international response to solve the crisis leaves a lot to be desired. The problem remains mired in the geopolitical game of global powers. Though the plight of Rohingyas could draw sympathy from some countries of the world, it failed to move many others. Up until now they have been content paying only lip service regarding the problem. It was because of Chinese veto, backed by Russia, a short UN Security Council statement was blocked in March this year. This time also, it is apprehended that UNSCs move on Rohingya crisis would be hamstrung. Regionally, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with Myanmar governments concern with its security over the Rohingya issue in his recent visit to Myanmar. Therefore, if Bangladesh wants to solve the problem permanently it has to closely work with these two regional players and convince them about the legitimate rights of Rohingyas in Myanmar. Some Muslim countries have expressed, but Muslim countries have their own platformOrganisation of Islamic Conference (OIC)to address a problem like this. This forum ought to sit on this issue on an urgent basis and find out ways to put pressure on Myanmar so that it stops atrocities in the Rakhine over this section of Myanmar citizens. Things can change for the better if OIC and its member countries are sincere enough. Since Bangladesh, as a neighbouring country, is directly bearing the brunt of what is Myanmars internal problem, it can take a lead to move the OIC also, besides UN, for taking tough action against Myanmar. It is expected that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government would be able to translate its present resolve to act tough on the matter as expressed in Sheikh Hasinas words that injustice against this minority community would not be tolerated any more.