UN rights chief calls for ‘reality check’ on Burma as BROUK warns Rohingya face erasure
The Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) today warned that Rohingya are being driven towards erasure from their homeland, as a new UN report documented continuing persecution by both the Burmese military and the Arakan Army.
BROUK President Tun Khin addressed the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva as part of an Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the report by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.
Tun Khin said there is no lack of evidence, international law or recommendations.
“What has been missing is action by Member States.”
Rohingya being erased from their homeland
The report documents widespread abuses against Rohingya by both the Burmese military and the Arakan Army, including arbitrary arrests, torture, sexual violence, forced labour and forced recruitment. Restrictions on movement, food and livelihoods are compounding the persecution and making it increasingly difficult for Rohingya to survive in their homeland.
Tun Khin said:
“Rohingya now face two oppressors: both denying their identity, their rights and their future in their homeland.”
Land seizure is entrenching Rohingya displacement and closing off the possibility of return. The report documents Rohingya being prevented from returning to their land while other communities are settled on it, with some Rohingya forced to build the new settlements. The High Commissioner warned that the Arakan Army’s seizure of Rohingya land was making return even more difficult.
For those forced to flee, there is still nowhere safe to go. Around 1.2 million Rohingya remain in refugee camps in Bangladesh, where international aid cuts are worsening already desperate conditions, while persecution makes safe return to Burma impossible.
Decades of international failure
For decades, the UN has documented the persecution of Rohingya and called for action. Member States failed to act, persecution escalated into genocide and Rohingya are still paying the price today.
In his opening statement to the Council, the High Commissioner described the situation as “a matter of the greatest international concern” and said years of international efforts had failed. He called for a “reality check” from States in their approach to the situation.
He challenged governments over their approach to the Burmese military, warning that “so-called ‘calibrated engagement’” was not enough. Any engagement with the military must demand meaningful progress in complying with international law, protecting civilians and allowing humanitarian access, with States applying political pressure for change.
The consequences of that failure extend far beyond the Rohingya. The same military that committed genocide against Rohingya went on to seize power and commit atrocities against communities across Burma. Accountability is not only about justice for past crimes. It is about stopping atrocities now and preventing further violence.
International law must be enforced
The High Commissioner called on States to stop transfers of arms and jet fuel and reiterated his call for the UN Security Council to refer the full situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court.
Tun Khin called on the UK, as penholder on Myanmar, to lead efforts at the Security Council to secure an ICC referral. He also called on States to enforce the 25 international arrest warrants issued through BROUK’s universal jurisdiction case in Argentina, including against Min Aung Hlaing.
“Court decisions must be upheld. Arrest warrants must lead to arrests.”
“International justice takes time. Rohingya do not have time. Justice and accountability delivered years too late will mean nothing if there are no Rohingya left. The international community cannot allow Rohingya to be erased from Myanmar and promise us justice afterwards. Member States must act now to stop the genocide, end impunity and ensure Rohingya have a future in our homeland.”
For media inquiries:
Please contact Tun Khin on +44 (0)7888 714866 or email info@brouk.org.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment