ROHINGYA CRISIS IN MYANMAR
Intl community not fulfilling obligations
HUMAYUN KABIR BHUIYAN
Rohingya Muslims living in the Rakhine state of Myanmar is undoubtedly one of the most persecuted communities in the world. And, none other than the State of Myanmar, whose responsibility is to protect its citizens, is responsible for this persistent persecution. For decades, this community living in Rakhine that borders Bangladesh have been deprived of citizenship, basic human needs and freedom of movements because according to Myanmar, weirdly, Rohingyas are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
Moreover, the Rohingyas are regularly and systematically tortured by the Myanmar military, police, border police and Buddhists including many monks, forcing hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas to leave their birthplace for other countries. And, a big chunk of them fled to Bangladesh, already burdened with heavy population, to save their lives. Over 30,000 registered Rohingya refugees are living in two camps in Coxs Bazar while it is estimated that from 2 to 5 lakh undocumented Rohingyas are living in different parts of Coxs Bazar and Bandarban, causing various socio-economic problems.
Even, during the course of current disproportionate crackdown by Myanmar military, border police, police and local Buddhists that started after the killing of nine Myanmar border police allegedly by Rohingyas in early October, 10,000 Rohingyas have already entered Bangladesh, said the United Nations.
The number of people killed and the extent of damage is still unclear, as the Myanmar authorities are not allowing any foreigner or humanitarian organisation access to the affected areas. But, satellite images show burning houses. According to those who crossed into Bangladesh, Rohingyas have been killed, tortured, Rohingya women were raped and houses were burnt. Some of the description goes beyond belief in the 22nd century civilisation.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights thinks that what is happening in Myanmar may amount to crimes against humanity while UNHCR has accused Myanmar of seeking the ethnic cleansing of the Muslim Rohingya minority from its territory. Other global and regional bodies have also used strong words against the ongoing collective punishment on the Rohingya community in Rakhine for the October attacks on three Myanmar border police posts.
Ironically, despite the grim horrific plight of Rohingyas, the international community, particularly the West who always lecture other countries on human rights, appears to be not so serious about the issue. Even in 2012, when the Rohingyas were being collectively punished for a single incident, the international community especially the powerful militarily were also almost inactive. In last two months of the crackdown, they confined their actions to issuing statements denouncing the violence.
A glorious example of double standard of the international community is clearly visible here. They are asking Bangladesh to open its borders so that the oppressed Rohingyas can take refuge, but they are not putting enough pressure on the Myanmar government to end the persecution of Rohingyas.
Bangladeshis appear to be convinced that the international community is not doing enough to protect the persecuted Rohingya community. Even, they are not that enthusiastic about the formation of a commission led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Some people even talked about the presence of a UN peacekeeping mission in Rakhine.
When Myanmar decided to walk on the path of democracy and took some positive measures, the international community made up their minds to lift sanctions on the country. At that time, there were calls on them to tag human rights issue of Rohingyas and others as a precondition for lifting of sanctions. But, that did not happen. Many people believe that if that could have been done, things in Rakhine would have been much better. Of course, the international community might have thought that with the return to democracy, the Myanmar government would resolve the protracted Rohingya issue for the long-term stability of the country.
Rohingyas and others dreamt of a better Rakhine with the assumption of the power by National League for Democracy (NLD) led by none other than Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi about eight months ago. Suu Kyi could not be the president because of a constitutional provision. Therefore she is running the country as a president with the designation of state councillor. But, the dream deferred when doubt was raised about her willingness or ability to resolve the Rohingya issue. Her failure to protect Rohingyas drew widespread criticism from across the globe. Many people voiced their opinion in favour of taking away her Nobel peace prize.
As far as Bangladesh is concerned, the position of the country is that the problem regarding Rohingyas lies in Myanmar and all Rohingyas including those who are already in Bangladesh should go back to their own homes on the other side of the border. After the present crackdown began, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is trying its best to stop the Rohingya exodus. But, due to the porous nature of the border, it is almost impossible to completely stop the incomings. In some cases, BGB allowed Rohingyas into Bangladesh on humanitarian ground.
Despite not being a party to the crisis and due to resource constraints, Bangladesh is fulfilling its obligation driven by the sense of compassion and humanity. It is also engaged with the Myanmar government on this issue. But, it cannot do more. Understandably, many Bangladeshis are urging the government to allow the Rohingyas in for the time being and to send them back when things will be normal in Rakhine. This is not possible. If the past is any guide, it can be seen that those who once come to Bangladesh from Rakhine do not go back. And, Myanmar may also want that Bangladesh will open its border and it will get rid of all the Rohingyas from its territory as feared by the UNHCR.
So, the onus is now on the international community. While hoping for a peaceful world they cannot turn their eyes away from the crisis in Rakhine. They have to be much more proactive in putting real pressure on Myanmar to provide its Rohingya populace with citizenship, to protect them and allow to calling themselves whatever they like. Myanmar will have to be made understand that it cannot do whatever they like ignoring the whole world. If that can be achieved, the Rohingya issue will be resolved once and for all. And, people will believe that the international community does not only issue statements, but also act, which is more important than the former.
