BROUK Appealed “EU Must Put Effective Pressure To Stop Extra-JudicialKillings Mass Rape And Mass Arrests Of Rohingyas”

RB News

November 12, 2016

On November 10th, 2016 BROUK President Tun Khin addressed current crackdown on Rohingyas in Northern Arakan state with European Parliament, European Human Rights Council and Officials of European External Action Service.

He mentioned at the meetings “After 9th October border guard police posts attacked, Burmese military launched a major crackdown, alleging Rohingya were responsible. Burmese Military combined with Border Guard Police Forces started Extra-Judicial killings of Rohingya, mass rape of ethnic Rohingya women, mass arrests, forced relocations, blocking of humanitarian aid, burning of homes and business of Rohingya.

Tun Khin also raised concern to Diplomats from the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and China who visited Northern Rakhine State and called for credible investigation into recent events. Rohingya who spoke with the delegation were later arrested and/or questioned by the military and security forces. Fiona MacGregor, a journalist who worked at the English-language Myanmar Times was dismissed for an article she wrote on allegations of rape by security forces. The sacking came after the Presidents Office had publicly attacked her and the Ministry of Information complained to the paper's management about her report. 

Tun Khin's recommendations were as follows:

End human rights violations

Pressure must be brought to bear on the Government and Military to end all human rights violations by the security forces in Northern Rakhine State and ensure the civilian population is protected.

Unrestricted aid access needed

Some humanitarian aid is now being allowed back to a very limited area, but for most people dependent on aid, it has now been disrupted for more than a month. 80,000-85,000 people are in the locked-down area. A return to the previous situation means a return to what was already an unacceptable situation costing lives and causing immense suffering. The government must not just lift new restrictions, they must immediately allow humanitarian organizations and agencies full unrestricted access to all communities in Northern Rakhine State. 

Investigate abuses

Investigate all reports of human rights violations by the security forces in Northern Rakhine State. Ensure the investigations are independent and transparent. Bring those responsible to justice. As the government of Burma appears unwilling to do this, the UN should set up an inquiry to investigate.

End restrictions, intimidation and censorship of media

Media have been banned from accessing Rakhine State, journalists have been publicly attacked by Government officials for reporting abuses, government complaints led to one journalists being sacked, and state media have returned to military era style reporting and lies regarding the current situation. Freedom of media and freedom of expression is under threat.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon must lead UN efforts personally demanding an end to all human rights violations and lifting all humanitarian aid restrictions. He must be willing to travel to Burma to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the head of the military, Min Aung Hlaing. The international community should impose targeted sanctions against all those involved in human rights violations and restrictions on aid including visa bans, asset freezes, and restrictions on doing business with these individuals.

The United Nations Security Council must hold urgent discussions and call for an end to abuses and lifting aid restrictions.