Iran becoming chief supporter of Myanmar’s Muslims: Intifad Qanbar

Press TV
April 4, 2013

A political analyst says the Islamic Republic of Iran has had a much stronger position in support of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar compared to that of nearly all Arab countries.

The comment comes as the Human Rights Watch has called on Myanmar’s government to adopt effective measures aimed at putting an end to attacks against the Rohingya Muslims in the Asian country. 

In a statement released on Monday, the New York-based human rights group said security forces stood by and allowed deadly violence and arson attacks against Muslims to continue for days. The New York-based rights group then called on Naypyidaw to investigate the issue and bring to justice those responsible for violence in the central city of Meiktila between March 20 and 22. 

More than 40 people were killed in the chaos and 12,000 others were driven from their homes in the spate of violence. 

Press TV has conducted an interview with political analyst Intifad Qanbar in Beirut to further discuss the issue. What follows is an approximate transcription of the interview. 

Press TV: Mr. Qanbar thanks a lot for joining us. I wanted to ask you about the fact that we continue seeing Myanmar’s authorities being complacent in these attacks on Muslim communities. Why is the international community silent on that? 

Qanbar: Well before we talk about the international community we must talk about the Arab League most recent meeting and also the Muslim League which basically put the priority of Muslim lives situation in Myanmar not second but third or tenth or hundredth maybe. 

It is very embarrassing that a country such as Burma which is weak politically and economically and Arab Muslim countries and Muslim countries generally speaking could practice immense power and pressure on Myanmar, Burma formally to protect the Muslims from killing. 

It is very clear that the government of Myanmar is basically as you mentioned correctly in your report complacent about these attacks. I think we saw that countries like Qatar for example pressured to expel Syria from the Arab League and put in place the Syrian opposition and made absent the issue of the Bahraini people and so put up the life stake of Muslims in Myanmar of no importance in such meetings which is I think very important. 

I think the Arab League and the Muslim League should lead the world, the international community to pressure Myanmar. The Islamic Republic in Iran and Turkey had better stance and actions in terms of protecting the Muslims in Myanmar better than most of the Arab countries if not all. 

Press TV: the question Mr. Qanbar the ever present question is why, why is there this silence? Why is Myanmar giving these countries that they are so silent on this issue of attacks against Muslims? 

Qanbar: Well because there is a bias in the international arena and specifically in the West. 

I think the actions should start from here and the West will probably lead by practicing immense power through economical means and political means.