BROUK welcomes British Foreign Secretary ’s statement and urges other EU countries to condemn violence in Arakan

Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK today welcomed British Foreign Secretary William Hague’s statement calling for an end to the violence in Rakhine (Arakan) State, Burma. 

The statement called on the authorities to grant full and unhindered humanitarian access to the areas affected; to allow the affected communities to safely return to their homes; and to support the restitution of property that was seriously damaged or destroyed. The statement also encouraged efforts to seek a long term solution to the problems they face in a manner which recognizes their human rights, including their right to nationality, and to take effective steps which prevent any further forced or involuntary displacement and which does not leave them permanently displaced. 

The statement also called for the release of all those people who have been arbitrarily detained, irrespective of their ethnic background, and for the government to carry out an independent, fair and prompt investigation into the violence, in particular the allegations of serious crimes within the communities and human rights violations by the security forces, and for those found guilty of such crimes and human rights violations to be held accountable. 

BROUK President Tun Khin said, “It is very good to see that the British government is speaking up. Other EU countries should also speak up on the grave human rights violations and great humanitarian disaster facing the Rohingya. Police and Paramilitary forces are still arresting Rohingya in Buthidaung and Maungdaw. Many Rohingyas are dying due to starvation. According to reliable sources, there are about 4200 people living in Mountain Area of Myaybone Township. We need urgent humanitarian assistance to all those in need in Arakan.” 

The government is not giving protection to Rohingyas. There needs to be a full independent United Nations investigation into the events that have taken place in Rakhine State. 

We call upon the international community, including the European Union, Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States to ensure that the establishment of such an investigation is included in the text of the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly resolution on Burma, and in the text of the next United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on Burma. 

We also call on the international community to pressure the government of Burma to repeal the 1982 citizenship law. 

For more information please contact Tun Khin +447888714866