Govt opposes Al Jazeera attempt to air Rohingya documentary
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| This file picture taken on June 12, 2012, shows a resident riding her bicycle past burned houses amid ongoing violence in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State in Burma. |
December 7, 2012
The Burmese government is strongly opposed to the airing of a documentary by Al Jazeera which exaggerates and distorts the events in western Rakhine State, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
“It is learnt that Qatar-based Al Jazeera Television will be
airing a documentary relating to so-called ‘Rohingyas’ from December 8
to 12 in Arabic and from December 9 to 13 in English languages. It is
also mentioned that the documentary will include accusations of genocide
against the so-called ‘Rohingyas’,” said The New Light of Myanmar quoting a statement from the ministry.
“The Government of Myanmar has been handling this matter with full transparency when the violence between Bangalis and the ethnic Rakhine people broke out in May and June, and also in October 2012,” it said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the government’s position, saying that it had allowed international agencies into the restive area to observe the situation and provide aid.
It said that the Burmese authorities had provided shelter, food and other supplies “in a non-discriminatory manner for both affected communities.”
Furthermore, it said that the government had formed a committee to investigate the violence, and rejected accusations that Burmese security forces and local authorities were involved in the sectarian clashes.
Al Jazeera has not made public the details of its documentary. However, it published a report in August titled “Mass Graves for Myanmar’s Rohingya” and stated that it had conducted an exclusive report into the situation in the region.
“The Government of Myanmar has been handling this matter with full transparency when the violence between Bangalis and the ethnic Rakhine people broke out in May and June, and also in October 2012,” it said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the government’s position, saying that it had allowed international agencies into the restive area to observe the situation and provide aid.
It said that the Burmese authorities had provided shelter, food and other supplies “in a non-discriminatory manner for both affected communities.”
Furthermore, it said that the government had formed a committee to investigate the violence, and rejected accusations that Burmese security forces and local authorities were involved in the sectarian clashes.
Al Jazeera has not made public the details of its documentary. However, it published a report in August titled “Mass Graves for Myanmar’s Rohingya” and stated that it had conducted an exclusive report into the situation in the region.
