BROUK Welcomes US Senate Resolution on Rohingya

BROUK Welcomes US Senate Resolution on Rohingya 

November 24, 2014

Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK today welcomed the introduction of a Resolution in the US Senate condemning all forms of persecution and discrimination against the Muslim Rohingya ethnic group from Burma. BROUK would like to express many thanks to US Senator Menedez and Senator Mark Kirk for introducing this resolution.

The resolution: 

· calls on the Government of Burma to end all forms of persecution and discrimination, including freedom of movement restrictions of the Rohingya people and ensure respect for internationally recognized human rights for all ethnic and religious minority groups within Burma;

· calls on the Government of Burma to respect the Rohingya’s right to self-identification, redraft the Citizenship Law of 1982 so that it conforms to internationally recognized legal standards, and include both Rakhine and Rohingya leaders and community members in the redrafting process;

· calls on the Government of Burma to support an international and independent investigation into the violence that has occurred in Rakhine State since June 2012, implement the recommendations put forth, and prosecute the perpetrators of violence consistent with due process;

· calls on the Government of Burma to conform to international norms on the provision of unrestricted humanitarian access by international organizations to all in need, without discrimination based on nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, religious belief, or political opinion;

· Calls on the United States government and the international community to call on the government of Burma to take all necessary measures to end the persecution and discrimination of the Rohingya population and to protect the fundamental rights of all ethnic and religious minority groups in Burma.

The Burmese government continues to refuse to recognize the Rohingya, in breach of international law. The Burmese government has stated: “There has been no such ethnic group as Rohingya among the ethnic groups of Burma.”

By continuing to persecute the Rohingya community in Burma and by refusing to afford basic rights to the Rohingya community, the Burmese government has demonstrated a refusal to adhere to international norms.

The rejection of Rohingya’s citizenship rights and ethnic rights by the government of Thein Sein is the main contributing factor to the growth of the refugee problem and the boat people crisis in the region. 

BROUK President Tun Khin said “If the US government wants to see clear progress on the Rohingya issue in Burma, they should set clear and measurable timelines and benchmarks for progress, including restoring Rohingya citizenship and lifting restrictions on aid, movement, marriage and education for Rohingya. President Obama has mentioned that Rohingya should be treated with the same dignity as all other people, but there has been no progress and instead the situation has become much worse”.

For more information please contact Tun Khin on +44 788 871 4866.