The head of the United Nations Human Rights office, Volcker Turk, has bemoaned the injustice shown to the people of Rohingya, after their departure from Myanmar, as a result of consistent oppression from the central government.
The UN chief assured the Rohingya refugees that, he would continue to advocate for justice for the hundreds of thousands, who were forcibly ejected from their homes, in what he termed as “textbook” racial genocide.
A military operation launched six years ago, began the ordeals of these minority Muslims in the Rakhine state, dominated by the ethnic Rohingya tribe.
According to data that focused on the aftermath of the operation, over 300 villages were razed to the ground, 10,000 casualties recorded including women, children and new born babies.
Also, more than 700,000 Rohingya people escaped Myanmar, in pursuit for security and protection at neighboring Bangladesh. They added up to existing thousands who had already migrated there with the same reasons.
Moreover, the operation was labelled as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing” by Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, the then Chief of UN human right office.
Data proves that, millions of Rohingya refugees applied for international refugee status, following their migration from Myanmar to Bangladesh.
Sources further revealed that, there are still 600,000 Rohingya people stuck in country, and they have endured harsh treatments, and the possibility of crimes against humanity.
To escape Myanmar, over thousands of desperate people embark on the dangerous sea crossing, to migrate to Bangladesh. Some have perished along the way.
Expressing sympathy to the refugees, Mr. Türk stated that, his “most fervent wish” for the Rohingya, is when they have been granted access back to their homes, and live there in safety, respect, and freedom as citizens of Myanmar with all rights upheld.
“This is currently not the case given the precarious conditions in Rakhine State. Furthermore, the military has shown no willingness to address systematic discrimination against the Rohingya.”
Volker Turk, Head Of UN Human Right Office.
Not all, the UN chief admonished the international community to keep on with their support to the Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh.
“More must be done to hold the military to account for their repeated campaigns of persecution against the Rohingya, and for driving the country into its current human rights and humanitarian crisis.
“In the face of the impunity enjoyed by the Myanmar military for past and present crimes against the Rohingya as well as other groups, I call on States fully to support the ongoing international accountability efforts.”
Volker Turk, Head Of UN Human Right Office.
Failure Of The International Community To Act
In the words of Tom Andrews, a special Rapporteur in Myanmar, world leaders have to break the “deadly paralysis of indifference,” and take the needed measures to bring the culprits and planners of these crimes against humanity to book.
“Responsibility for the immense suffering of the Rohingya starts at the top. Min Aung Hlaing, who led the genocidal campaign, is now at the head of an illegal and illegitimate military junta that is attacking civilian populations throughout Myanmar. He must be brought to justice and be made to answer for his crimes.”
Tom Andrews, Special Rapporteur In Myanmar
Mr. Andrews further lashed on the international world for turning a blind eye on what had transpired in Myanmar. He argued that, the world has failed to uphold its obligations to the Rohingya refugees, though, there are abundance of evidence of crimes perpetrated against the people.
Andrews added that, for over six years the UN Security Council has failed to table the case on the desks of the International Criminal Court.
“The Rohingya are tired of empty promises. Their children cannot eat political rhetoric or UN resolutions that go nowhere. They need and deserve the world to end the deadly paralysis of indifference.”
“We cannot let another year go by without principled and decisive action to support justice and accountability for the Rohingya.”
Tom Andrews, Special Rapporteur In Myanmar
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