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The Rohingya Muslims of northern Myanmar are one of many Muslim groups being persecuted by the government and military of this country, a prominent activist has said.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Kyaw Win, founder and executive director of the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN), said Rohingya Muslims account for only 30 percent of Myanmar’s total Muslim population and that the persecution of the other 70 percent goes underreported.
“What we understand now is that the Rohingya suffers…genocide. But at the same time, the other 70 percent of the Muslim population also faces serious problems,” he said.
Amnesty International’s newly-appointed Secretary General Kumi Naidoo has said the UN's last report adds to the mountain of evidence of Myanmar’s genocide against Rohingya Muslims.Kumi Naidoo is a veteran South African activist; he was expelled from school at the age of 15 when he protested against the then apartheid regime in South Africa. He later went to Britain until Nelson Mandela gained his freedom. He is on his first visit to Turkey after getting appointed as Amnesty International's secretary general.“As Amnesty International, we are happy with the release of an independent United Nations investigation into human rights abuses carried out against Rohingya Muslims. This report confirms the names of the generals from the Myanmar military that Amnesty International announced in earlier reports,” Naidoo told Anadolu Agency.Rohingya group urges global community to take action“We have recommended concrete steps to hold them and others accountable, and to sustain a safe environment for the Rohingya Muslims to return, including for the UN Security Council to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court and the establishment of an international mechanism to collect and preserve evidence for use in future criminal proceedings,” he said.“It is not just conflict. It is deliberate and calculated attempt of Myanmar military. This is tantamount to genocide and ethnic cleansing. Therefore, we have documented extensively the military’s ethnic cleansing campaign including murder, rape, torture, forced starvation and forced deportation as well as other serious human rights violations against the Rohingya.” he said.About the UN's call for genocide charges against Myanmar military, Naidoo said: "In legal language they say: ‘Justice delayed is justice denied.’ This is taken far too long. There has been some dragging feet of Myanmar government to find an absolute solution. Additionally, some powerful governments which are supposedly promote human rights said nothing. They’ve almost colluded with the human right violations through their silence. Therefore, five years is a long time to wait for absolute for the final rehabilitation."In a report, the UNHCR refugee agency said nearly 170,000 Rohingya likely fled Myanmar in 2012 alone.Since Aug. 25, 2017, nearly 24,000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed by Myanmar’s state forces, according to the Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA).In a recent report, Forced Migration of Rohingya: The Untold Experience, the OIDA raised the estimated number of murdered Rohingya to 23,962 (± 881) from a Doctors Without Borders figure of 9,400.More than 34,000 Rohingya were also thrown into fires, while over 114,000 others were beaten, the OIDA report said, adding that 17,718 (±780) Rohingya women and girls were raped by Myanmar’s army and police. Over 115,000 Rohingya houses were also burned down and 113,000 others vandalized, it added.According to Amnesty International, more than 750,000 Rohingya refugees, mostly children and women, have fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community.The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.The UN has documented mass gang rapes, killings -- including of infants and young children -- brutal beatings, and disappearances committed by Myanmar state forces. In a report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.
Amnesty slams powerful governments' silence on Rohingya
“One of the problems is that their citizenship has been denied and they have been put into a group that is ‘mixed blood,’” Win said.
“Being a Muslim, you cannot be a Burmese; only a Buddhist can be a Burmese. So the moment you say you’re a Muslim, you become a mixed blood group.”
Win underlined that Muslims in Myanmar had to prove their bloodline and are then forced to sign a document that will render them stateless and thus without citizenship.
The international community must find a way to initiate an independent and impartial investigation to bring the perpetrators of the Rohingya genocide to justice, according to the chairman of a prominent Rohingya group.Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ERNO) Chairman Nurul Islam told Anadolu Agency in London that Rohingya are "facing severe and institutionalized persecution" in Myanmar, including "various types of crimes against humanity, which establish genocidal intent".Islam urged for a probe into the horrific crimes committed by Myanmar’s military top brass."Military top brass should be investigated by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, and genocide," he said.More than 50,000 evacuated in Myanmar as homes, shops flooded after dam failsIslam, who is also a coordinator for the Free Rohingya Coalition, pointed out that even a UN fact finding mission "clearly indicated that it is not possible to get any justice by any ... mechanism initiated by the Burmese government," which is why the task must be carried out by the international community.Islam's remarks came following a new UN report released earlier this week that documented mass gang rapes, killings, including of infants and young children, brutal beatings and disappearances committed by Myanmar state forces. In its report, UN investigators said violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar has called for the trial of Myanmar’s top military officials, including army commander-in-chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, at the International Criminal Court for committing genocide against Rohingya Muslims.Myanmar spokesman rejects UN genocide reportInternational obligationsIslam said the international community must be "obliged" to act against the Myanmar government on the basis of the 1948 convention on prevention and punishment of genocide.About the EU’s role in resolving the Rohingya crisis, Islam said the bloc had issued statements in support of humanitarian aid to displaced Rohingya people but the block also needs to “create proactive policies to put pressure on the Burmese government.”"The UN Security Council is a complete fail [sic.]," he said, adding the mechanism could not decide on a resolution on Rohingya issue "because of potential opposition from countries like Russia and China".Speaking about the support from Muslim countries, Islam said the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest world body and “they have a lot of leverage on countries like China and Russia”.'Myanmar is like Nazi Germany'However, Islam said the OIC did not come up with any proactive policies on the Rohingya.He said some Muslim countries who maintain good relations with Russia and China should influence those two countries to be at least neutral on the Rohingya issue.The international community and the UN need to look for a binding resolution, he said.“They would better take a global consensus, because this is genocide -- there is proof of it -- and these criminals need to be referred to the International Criminal Court."But the UN Security Council is the only organization, which could trigger a comprehensive investigation by the ICC.”UN chief urges Myanmar to ensure immediate, full accessMessage to TurkeyHe said the Rohingya have high expectations from the people and the government of Turkey.“We are very pleased with the statement on the expression of solidarity with the Rohingya people by the President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan,” he said.“Turkey can play a leadership role in the Muslim world,” Islam said, adding that “when genocide is unfolding in a country, when there are many divisions among the world opinion to take action.“This is an important role needed to be played by Muslim leaders like Erdogan and Turkey.”Islam said they also expect support from ASEAN countries as they can press for Rohingya minority rights as Myanmar is a member state, underlining that Malaysia could play a good role in the organization.Nearly 24,000 Rohingya killedIn a report, the UNHCR refugee agency said nearly 170,000 Rohingya likely fled Myanmar in 2012 alone.Since Aug. 25, 2017, nearly 24,000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed by Myanmar’s state forces, according to the Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA).In a recent report, Forced Migration of Rohingya: The Untold Experience, the OIDA raised the estimated number of murdered Rohingya to 23,962 (± 881) from a Doctors Without Borders figure of 9,400.More than 34,000 Rohingya were also thrown into fires, while over 114,000 others were beaten, the OIDA report said, adding that 17,718 (±780) Rohingya women and girls were raped by Myanmar’s army and police. Over 115,000 Rohingya houses were also burned down and 113,000 others vandalized, it added.According to Amnesty International, more than 750,000 Rohingya refugees, mostly children and women, have fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community.The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.The UN has documented mass gang rapes, killings -- including of infants and young children -- brutal beatings, and disappearances committed by Myanmar state forces. In a report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.
Rohingya group urges global community to take action
He said Muslims in Myanmar are unable to apply for Burmese passports and are routinely harassed by the police and intelligence services because of their identity.
The Rohingya, according to Win, had faced these same problems 20 years ago, and the other Muslim communities are facing a similar “trend” that could lead to a similar fate.
“If we have failed with the Rohingya people, it means we are also failing with the other 70 percent,” Win said.
A Myanmar government spokesman on Wednesday rejected a report by United Nations investigators that called for top generals to be prosecuted for genocide, saying the international community was making "false allegations".His comments came a day after the U.N report, which marked the first time the organisation has explicitly called for Myanmar officials to face genocide charges over a brutal crackdown on Rohingya Muslims last year."Our stance is clear and I want to say sharply that we don't accept any resolutions conducted by the Human Rights Council," Zaw Htay, the main government spokesman, said in an interview published in state media.'Myanmar is like Nazi Germany'Myanmar did not allow U.N investigators to enter the country, he said. "That's why we don't agree and accept any resolutions made by the Human Rights Council."He added that the country has "zero tolerance to any human rights violation" and had set up a Commission of Enquiry to respond to "false allegations" made by the U.N and "other international communities".Authorities earlier this year set up a panel comprised of two local and two international members – Filipino diplomat Rosario Manalo and Kenzo Oshima, Japan's former ambassador to the U.N - to investigate human rights abuses.UN chief urges Myanmar to ensure immediate, full accessMyanmar has denied most of the allegations, saying the military responded to a legitimate threat from Rohingya militants, who attacked police posts across the western Rakhine state."If there is any case against human rights, just give us strong evidence, record and date so that we can take legal action against those who break the rules and regulations," Zaw Htay said.The same day as the U.N released its report, Facebook shut down the account of army general Min Aung Hlaing and other top military officials, accusing them of using its platform to spread "hate and misinformation".'Let us not fail Rohingya again': Oscar-winning actressIn the interview published on Wednesday, Zaw Htay said the government had not ordered the ban and was questioning Facebook about the action, saying it had caused "mounting criticism and fear among the people".Myanmar's civilian government shares power with the military, which controls key ministries including home affairs and immigration. 
Myanmar spokesman rejects UN genocide report
Win’s remarks come after the release of a UN report earlier this week documenting mass gang rapes, killings -- including of infants and young children -- brutal beatings and disappearances committed by Myanmar state forces. In its report, UN investigators said the violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.
The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar has called for the trial of Myanmar’s top military officials, including army commander-in-chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, at the International Criminal Court for committing genocide against Rohingya Muslims.
Win labeled the recent UN report on the Rohingya crisis “strong” and “credible” and said it is an important time for the international community to support the Rohingya and minority issues in Myanmar and bring the perpetrators of this genocide to justice.
The atrocities targeting Myanmar’s Rohingya minority are similar to those committed by Nazi Germany, according to a prominent Buddhist human rights activist.Speaking to Anadolu Agency in Kent, the UK, Maung Zarni, a coordinator at the Free Rohingya Coalition, said the international community should act against his country of origin.'Let us not fail Rohingya again': Oscar-winning actressZarni’s remarks come after the UN released a report earlier this week documenting mass gang rapes, killings -- including of infants and young children -- brutal beatings and disappearances committed by Myanmar state forces. In its report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.“We have a situation wherein a UN member state run by a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi, and her partners in power, Burmese military generals…is found by the [most] credible and highest body of human rights authorities in the world to be like Nazi Germany,” Zarni said.“Genocide is what the Nazis did. Genocide is what happened in Rwanda, in Cambodia, or to the Bosnian Muslims.”Zarni underlined that when a case is determined to be “genocidal”, the responsibility for dealing with it lies with all UN member states.“The highest political and moral obligation rests with the [UN] Security Council,” he added.He said setting up an international criminal court as was done for Rwanda or Bosnia would not be enough; the Rohingya minority needs “a protected region where they can live safely and as normal, decent human beings”.The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar has called on Myanmar’s top military officials, including army commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, to be tried at the International Criminal Court for genocide committed against Rohingya Muslims.“My expectation, in an ideal world…[is that] the UN Security Council will authorize some form of intervention so that the atrocities can be stopped and the Rohingya can be given their land back and allowed to live in dignity and in safety,” Zarni said.- SanctionsZarni said there are now more Rohingya living outside Myanmar than those who are left in the country following decades of violence but especially after a full-scale attack was launched against them in August last year.Underlining that the international community should impose sanctions on Myanmar’s government and army, Zarni pointed out that the exclusion policy against the Rohingya must end.Rohingya Muslims “are being purged,” and the ultimate goal in introducing sanctions against Myanmar should be “to fundamentally change the Burmese state’s policies and change the structures [which] have been mobilized by the Burmese military and public opinion makers to repress and persecute and essentially annihilate this population,” Zarni added.The ultimate goal of multiple sanctions should be providing Rohingya “international protection” and creating “an autonomous region where the Burmese military would not be allowed to continue the atrocities,” he said.- SolutionZarni said Myanmar has four major pillars: the military, the Buddhist order, political parties, and the public.“All four of these major institutions…have categorically rejected the Rohingya. We are telling them they don’t belong to Burma, we don’t want them in Burma.”Zarni said the solution to the problem does not lie in the country but has to be formulated internationally and within the UN institutions.- Call for Turkey's assistanceZarni added that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish government “have been extremely vocal and supportive of the Rohingya people”.“This is the time for Turkey to show serious moral and political leadership,” he said.Pointing out that the UN Security Council is in a “coma” and “paralyzed” as it cannot resolve the problems, Zarni emphasized that Turkey can really help in Myanmar’s case by “leading to form a coalition of Muslim and non-Muslim governments that accept that this is genocide and [say] we must not be bystanders to genocide”.He said there are more than 500,000 Rohingya trapped in Myanmar and they can be driven out any time, adding it is the time to act and to form a coalition.“My appeal is not to the Burmese people. My appeal is to the Islamic world as well as non-Islamic communities to help the Rohingya.“Because this is not just about Muslim people. They are human beings. But we, Burmese, in my country treat them like [they are] less than animals.”On Aug. 25, 2017, Myanmar launched a major military crackdown on the Muslim ethnic minority, killing almost 24,000 civilians and forcing 750,000 others, including women and children, to flee to Bangladesh, according to the Ontario International Development Agency.The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.
'Myanmar is like Nazi Germany'
Aung San Suu Kyi
Criticizing Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s silence on the “genocide”, Win said it was “very appalling” for a person like her defending the military and that “she should not be taking that road; she should be aware of this”.
It is unfortunate, Win said, that Suu Kyi has argued that the military hasn’t committed any atrocities against the Rohingya Muslims when there is clear proof that such atrocities have occurred and continue to occur.
Win also criticized the government and military’s prevention of independent investigations in Rakhine state in northern Myanmar and blocking international media and human rights organizations from reporting on the ethnic cleansing and working with the Rohingya Muslims.
Win said Suu Kyi had the power to stop the genocide from occurring but she never raised the issue of the atrocities being carried out against the Rohingya.
“She intentionally kept silent,” Win said, adding “this was a very big mistake,” so she should be held to account for this.
Win said Suu Kyi described three generals who are war criminals as “sweet members of our cabinet“ during a visit to Singapore last year, which was “disturbing”.
He called for Suu Kyi to either resign or stand up to the genocide being committed against the Rohingya and put an end to the atrocities by bringing the perpetrators committing this war crime to justice.
Turkey's role
Regarding Turkey’s role in the international community’s response to the Rohingya crisis, Win said it has a “very important role, historically and traditionally”.
Win underlined the strong relations between Turkish and Burmese Muslims and recalled a period during the First World War when the Burmese Muslim community raised funds for the Ottoman Sultan.
He said Turkey and Burmese Muslims maintain this historic and traditional relationship to this day and he is “very grateful to the Turkish government, the Turkish people that consistently support the Rohingya issues,” adding “not many world leaders have visited Rakhine state, but Turkish leaders have, and that is very encouraging”.
He pointed out that Turkey should engage with Muslim organizations and offer more support to the Muslim youth of Myanmar, who he said suffer from unemployment because they are Muslims.
He also emphasized that Turkey should work with neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia to form an alliance and to support the Rohingya and other Muslim communities and prevent such atrocities from occurring.
Win urged Muslim countries to not only focus on Muslim minorities but also on other minorities in Burma facing persecution, such as the Kachin and Karen Christians and the Shan Buddhists who also face routine persecution from the government.
According to Amnesty International, more than 750,000 Rohingya refugees, mostly women and children, have fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community.
The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.
Since Aug. 25, 2017, nearly 24,000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed by Myanmar’s state forces, according to the Ontario International Development Agency.