Plight of
Burmese Muslims
Air Cdre Khalid Iqbal (R)
Recent upsurge in violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar has
highlighted the regime’s complete disregard for basic human rights. While the
international conscience awakens slowly, the Muslim minority has already suffered
a colossal spell of ethnic cleansing. Accounting for over 1/3rd of total
population of Myanmar, 800,000 Rohingyas are neither recognized as citizens nor
a minority. They came to Burma in the seventh century. They have ever since
settled in the western part of the country, the Rakhine state; an area that
borders the Chittagong hill tracts of Bangladesh. Latest spate of genocide has
resulted in killing of over one hundred innocent people including women and
children. Main executors of these gruesome crimes were Hindu and Buddhist
outfits who otherwise portray themselves as pacifists.
Buddhist organizations that carried out these gory acts had tacit
blessing of the politico-military regime as well as physical and logistic
support of Hindu religious extremists. Horrific images and reports coming out
of the conflict zone present a scenario of systemic genocide. Events were
triggered by a Buddhist girl eloping with a Rohingya boy. In the wake of this
innocent occurrence, the so called peace-loving Buddhists have demonstrated
that they could be as violent and gruesome as anyone else. UN resolution 96 (I)
of 1946 states that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or war, is a
crime under international law. In 2004, the then UNSG Kofi Annan, announced his
‘Action Plan to Prevent Genocide’, whereby torturing, killing, inflicting
physical pain and causing mental harm to any human being or group/ community
fall under the category of criminal acts punishable under international law.
Gross violations of human rights are no longer an inclusive domain of a state.
Myanmar government is of the view that Rohingyas came from India during the
British rule. Burmese citizens view them with hostility. They are denied
fundamental rights and freedom. The military regime consistently perpetrates
human rights violations against these powerless and unprotected people. They
are not issued identity cards, and do not have right to basic amenities like
education, health and freedom of movement. They also do not have property ownership
rights. They are denied government jobs, are subjected to marriage
restrictions, and are liable to forced labour. They also face extortion and
other coercive practices.
In January 1950, about 30,000 refugees fled from Burma to the then East
Pakistan. The 1953 population census declared 45 per cent of the Rohingya
population having Pakistani origin. Persecution of Rohingyas continues unabated
since 1962’ when General Ne Win usurped power in a coup d’état and stripped the
Muslims of their Burmese citizenship and cracked down upon them mercilessly.
Thousands were forced to flee to neighbouring territories of Bangladesh,
Indonesia and Thailand. However, they were turned back cruelly. In February
2009, five boats packed with Burmese Rohingya were taken out in the high seas
and abandoned to die. Four of the boats sank in a storm while one was washed
ashore; the few survivors narrated horrifying accounts of torture by Thai
authorities before being abandoned at open sea. Bangladesh has always been
reluctant to accept Rohingyas. In 1978, an agreement was signed between Dhaka
and Rangoon, according to which, any Rohingya who could produce any documentary
evidence of being Burmese could return. However, this did not solve the problem
or stop the state-sponsored massacre in 1991.
Last week, the OIC has held a meeting in Geneva. It contemplated on
sending a fact-finding delegation to Myanmar. Meeting suggested the diplomats
in Rangoon to make a visit to Rakhine State. OIC has forwarded these decisions
to the Ambassador of Myanmar in Geneva and has sent a letter to the UNHC for
Human Rights. The OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has also addressed
letters to the President of Myanmar and the leader of opposition, as well as to
the UN Secretary General, informing them about the deteriorating situation in
Myanmar and the need to act.
Earlier, UN human rights Chief Navi Pillay had warned: “We have been
receiving a stream of reports from independent sources alleging discriminatory
and arbitrary responses by security forces, and even their instigation of and
involvement in clashes,” she said in a statement. In June this year, Amnesty
International warned of “credible reports” of abuses including rape and
unlawful killings by both Rakhine Buddhists and the security forces. Of more
than 60,000 persons displaced as a result of latest violence, around 53,000 are
Muslims. However, in a press conference attended by UN Special Rapporteur Tomas
Ojea Quintana, Myanmar’s foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin said the government
had exercised “maximum restraint” in bringing an end to the violence in western
Rakhine State. “As such, Myanmar strongly rejects the accusations made by some
quarters that abuses and excessive use of force were made by the authorities in
dealing with the situation... (Myanmar) totally rejects the attempts by some
quarters to politicise and internationalise this situation as a religious
issue”.
One expected greater compassion from Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu
Kyi, but the champion for the oppressed masses has disowned the Rohingya
Muslims, categorically stating that they “should not be considered (Burmese)
citizens.” Aung San Suu Kyi is not likely to flag the minority issue due to her
concern for losing support of the Monks, who were the largest force to stand up
against the military. Now, the issue is of options Rangoon will consider in
handling this issue. Viewing it through the prism of international terrorism is
a dangerous possibility. The Burmese authorities may be tempted by this option
as they are trying to cosy up with the US, and ‘terrorist twist’ could attract
American sympathy and aid. Although Myanmar has been a target of terrorism, it
has mainly been carried out by Buddhist groups rather than by Muslims.
Stereotyping Rohingyas as Muslim terrorist would enhance the likelihood of
international terrorist networks reaching out to Rohingyas. The UN should push
the Myanmar regime to find out a political solution to the problem while
providing constitutional guarantees in the context of protecting fundamental
Human Rights of Rohingya Muslims.
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