ERC calls on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her government to allow the UN fact-finding mission
The European Rohingya Council is deeply concerned on the rigid stand of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her government to dissociate itself from the UN fact- finding mission to Myanmar. The statement is an open license for the Myanmar military and others to continue institutionalised persecution of Rohingya without fear.
The statement made by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the Joint press conference with European Union`s foreign policy chief; High Representative Federica Mogherini on 02. May.2017 in Brussels also includes Myanmar complying not to all resolutions, as per recommendations of Mr. Kofi Annan´s led commission of Enquiry. This must be taken as an alarming sign. This is a clear indication of the Burmese government unwilling to stop any form of ongoing abuses on the Rohingya community at any stage.
We continue to insist that Mr. Kofi Annan led advisory commission on Rakhine state must not be mistaken as an alternative to UN led fact- finding mission on the alleged crimes committed directly by Burmese Tatmadaw and Border guard police against the Rohingya. Mr. Annan´s commission clearly states that it has no investigatory role. We request Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to look into the mandates of the Mr. Kofi Anan´s led Commission and UN led fact-finding mission and their respective roles. If Myanmar government thinks Mr. Anan´s led commission of enquiry also covers investigatory role on the sequences of events following 09. October.2016, why then so many government handpicked commissions were formed in the first place! None of the commissions formed by the governments since the year 2012, have so far admitted or accepted the allegations despite of the fact that numerous credible audios, videos and photographic evidences of the atrocities are available.
ERC strongly believes UN, EU and rest of the international communities’ approaches toward Myanmar still are very soft and lenient. Instead of passing a resolution for UN led commission of enquiry a softer version; fact- finding mission was established. No trade embargos are reinforced neither by ASEAN nor by EU, OIC and other countries. For many of us, UN accusation of atrocities against Rohingya “may mount to crimes against humanity“ is far too soft accusation which underestimates the real ongoing humanitarian disaster the Rohingyas are forcefully engulfed in. Still EU, UN and other allies of Myanmar are trying to convince Myanmar through good diplomacy. Daw Suu Kyi is open to foreign investments, lifting of trade and arms embargo but is resisting free independent media access and restricting humanitarian assistance to Rohingya. She and her government continue to rebuff UN probe of crime against Rohingya.
One must not be Mother Theresa, Ghandi or Nelson Mandela to stick to the morals and rule of law. To Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, we make clear to her, these great people have done far more than their capacity and the world`s expectation for any race or to any believers to promote humanity and peace. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has repeatedly let herself and her nation down by bowing to the hostilities coming from the military, Rakhine and religious extremists. She is not being asked to do any favour to Rohingya but to act according to the Rule of Law based on international standards.
We strongly urge all members of UNHRC and EU to move forward with the UN fact- finding mission to investigate crimes against Rohingya perpetrated by Burmese military in northern Rakhine state to ascertain the group is free from prejudice and moral failure. It is in the interests of the government of Myanmar as well as the people of the country because it would demonstrate the government’s willingness to uphold the rule of law, work collaboratively with the international community to help establish the facts, identify perpetrators, and deter future crimes by all parties to the conflict. Therefore, ERC urges the state counsellor of Myanmar and her government to fully cooperate with the independent UN led fact- finding mission to troubled areas in Myanmar.
For more information:
Dr. Anita Schug; spokesperson@theerc.eu
Spokesperson
The European Rohingya Council
http://www.theerc.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ERC-calls-on-Daw-Aung-San-Suu-Kyi.pdf
