Int'l community should come forward

The condition in Myanmar's Rakhine has deteriorated further. Army assault against Rohingyas is underway there. Mass killing and torching houses are being continued in Rakhaine State.

Several international media reported that the death toll in Rakhine violence surges to 400. The Rohingyas are fleeing Myanmar for Bangladesh to save their lives.

According to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report, nearly 90,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh in last 11 days. Besides, many people drowned in Naf River while crossing the border. About 55 dead bodies were recovered while many remained missing after the latest military drive since August 25. Most of the victims were women and children. 

However, there is no visible protest in international arena over the ongoing brutal incidents in Myanmar. Giving only statements, the international community ended their tasks in this regard. The tension also rose there as some fanatic Buddhists joined the massacre with Myanmar military forces. They are burning Rohingya villages, houses, agricultural lands even mosques.

The Rohingya, a stateless minority of Myanmar, have endured decades of abuse, persecution and discrimination year after year. Over thousands of Rohingyas are now living in Bangladesh feeling Myanmar due to brutal attack and torture. In 1978, a huge number of Rohingyas first entered into Bangladesh. Later, most of them were sent back. However, a mentionable number of Rohingyas stayed in Bangladesh then. A large number of Rohingyas had entered Bangladesh again in 1991. And more than 50,000 Rohingyas took shelter in Bangladesh in last year following the military drive in Myanmar.

No permanent solution is seen yet over the Rohingyas crisis. In latest development, a commission was formed led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. There was a hope that the crisis would get a permanent solution. But, a few hours after Annan presented the commission's report, violence broke out in the western Rakhine state. The light of hope has faded away. The situation may become horrifying and more dangerous if the authority concerned fail to take effective steps now. If that happens then, that will be shameful for humanity.

So, the international community should take effective measures to save Rohingyas for the sake of humanity. European Union (UN) and several Muslim countries have taken initiatives to put the issue in United Nation. Proposing the issue in UN general assembly, a pressure should be created upon Myanmar. Otherwise, no temporary initiatives will bring fruitful result.

We think if the issue gets priority in international forum, the authority in Myanmar will be forced to implement the report of Kofi Annan's commission. So, discussion should be continued in UN, OIC, Muslim countries and other international forums to solve the crisis. Basically, international community, Myanmar and regional countries should work together to solve Rohingya problem.



risingbd/Dhaka/Sep 5, 2017/Ali Nawsher/Nasim