Rohingya in Japan together with HRW & HRN Press the Japanese Government for the Implementation of UNHRC Resolution

RB News

April 14, 2017

Rohingya Advocacy Network in Japan (RANJ) together with Human Rights Watch and Human Rights Now had a meeting with Japanese Foreign Ministry's high ranking officials at the Upper House Parliament Building. The meeting took place from 10 am to 11:30 am on 13th of April, 2017. At the meeting, HRW Tokyo Director Attorney Kanei Doi stressed the Japanese government's failure to lend full support at UNHRC's 34th Session on Myanmar Resolution. She expressed her disappointment with the Japanese government's commitment on human rights. Human Rights Now Secretary General Kazuko Ito, who came back from a visit to Yangon last week, explained her encounter with several people in Myanmar. She said that the Japanese government has big leverage on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as they are very close to her government. So, the Japanese government has the responsibility to promote human rights for all, especially Rohingya, as they are suffering so much and for so long. 

Rohingya Advocacy Network in Japan Executive Director Zaw Min Htut discussed various issues related to Rohingya such as UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Rohingya, Kofi Annan advisory Commission Interim Report, the Myanmar government are forcing Rohingya to take the NVC, arbitrary arrest of Rohingya youngsters to extort money, physically torture in the custody. Nearly 1000 innocent Rohingya in their detention including under age children. International Aid Organizations and international media access are still prohibited. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi`s recent BBC interview denied the existence of genocide and defended military atrocities on Rohingya. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing’s reckless comment on Rohingya existence in last month's speech at military parade. 

Mr. Nurul Hai appealed to the Japanese government to give serious attention on the Rohingya issue as Rohingya has been suffering so long under the military government in Myanmar. 

Japanese Foreign Ministry officials responded in a very positive manner and said that they are watching the situation very closely. Japanese government is in regular contact with Myanmar government on the issue while they are providing humanitarian assistance to Rohingya IDPs and Refugee in Bangladesh. 

At the end of the meeting HRW, HRN and RANJ again strongly demanded to lend Japanese government utmost support to the Fact-Finding Mission of UNHRC. And Mr. Zaw Min Htut & Mr. Nurul Hai presented a letter to Japanese Foreign Minister and some relevant documents. Below is the letter to the Foreign Minister.