On behalf of Society for Threatened People (STP), ERC raised the issue of Myanmar’s persecution of Muslim minority with particular emphasis on Rohingya Muslim community. ERC delegates, Dr. Hla Kyaw (Dr.Khubybe) and Mohammed Ibrahim, attended 29th session of the UN Human Rights Council on 29th and 30th June. Two oral statements on the ever worsening situation of Rohingya and emerging racism have been given in item 9 “interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Racism followed by general debate” on 30th June. The following points are highlighted:
1. Statelessness of Rohingya
2 .Decades-long systematic, persistent and widespread human rights violations, including denial of citizenship rights, restriction on education, marriage and religion.
3. Confinement and segregation of Rohingya in internally displaced camps (IDPs) and in their villages across Rakhine state
4. Discriminatory 1982 citizenship law and its impact on Rohingya minority
5. Organized violence against Rohingya under the banner of 969 nationalist movement led by Wirathu
6. Notorious Rakhine action plan to massively detain Rohingya
7. Revocation of temporary citizenship card “white card” and of right to vote
One behalf of STP, ERC urges Human Rights Council to call on Myanmar government to:
1. Revise legislation as necessary, particularly “Laws on Protection of Race and Religion”.
2. Take action against Wirathu, the 969 movement and other organizations that involved in anti-Muslim violence.
3. Condemn and take action against hate speech and propaganda against all ethnic and religious groups.
4. Immediately end human rights violations and resolve the grievous situation of Muslim minorities in the country with particular emphasis on the Rohingya community
5. Fully, impartially and fairly investigate and prosecute those responsible for serious abuses and human rights violations against the Rohingya.
6. To re-instate ethnic and religious right of Rohingya
The full text of oral statements can be read here.
Oral statement on Rohingya issue in 29th regular session of UN Human Rights Council
Society for Threatened Peoples is deeply concerned about the situation of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. For decades, the stateless Rohingya have been victims of systematic, persistent and widespread human rights violations, including denial of citizenship rights, restriction on education, marriage and religion.
In the last three years, the situation of the Rohingya has further deteriorated. After the 2012 pogrom against the Rohingya the Myanmar government segregated two communities that increases inter-communal tensions instead of reconciliation. The Rohingya are confined in internally displaced camps (IDPs) and in their villages across the Rakhine State.
The government of Myanmar has kept them living in apartheid-like conditions, segregated from the Rakhine community and from the rest of the world in the name of their security. The restriction on every kind of movement prevents them to have access to health care, education and livelihood. The living conditions in the IDP camps have been described as inhumane.
The 1982 Citizenship Law has revoked their ethnic and citizenship right, and has left them in a legal limbo. This has encouraged systematic human rights violations against the Rohingya. The government of Myanmar is refusing to amend and conform it to international human rights standards.
In the name of protection and the purity of the Burmese “race”, the 969 Movement of the nationalist monk Wirathu is spreading religious hatred across the country with impunity under the protection of government. This fuels discrimination and violence against Muslims.
The Myanmar government is further marginalizing Rohingya with the adoption of discriminatory legislation. The Rakhine Action plan will force the Rohingya to brand them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. According to this Plan, those who refuse to give up their ethnic identity or those who are deemed ineligible for naturalization will be detained in temporary camps waiting for being resettled elsewhere.
In addition, President Thein Sein has signed a law, which has removed the right of temporary citizenship cardholders, mostly Rohingya, to form political parties or serve as their members. Finally the government revoked temporary id “white-card” that previously allowed Rohingya to vote. This proves that the government will refuse to give basic rights to Rohingya.
Therefore, Society for Threatened Peoples urges the Human Rights Council to call on the Government of Myanmar to:
• Revise legislation as necessary, particularly “Laws on Protection of Race and Religion”.
•Take action against Wirathu, the 969 movement and other organizations that involved in anti-Muslim violence.
• Condemn and take action against hate speech and propaganda against all ethnic and religious groups.
• Immediately end human rights violations and resolve the grievous situation of Muslim minorities in the country with particular emphasis on the Rohingya religious community
• Fully, impartially and fairly investigate and prosecute those responsible for serious abuses and human rights violations against the Rohingya.
Oral statement on emerging racism and xenophobia in Myanmar issue in 29th regular session of UN Human Rights Council
Thank you Mr. President. Society for Threatened People is deeply concerned about the new rising of racism and xenophobia against Muslims particularly Rohingya minority in Myanmar, which is most persecuted minority in the world according to United Nation. With the opening up of Myanmar, the organized racism against religious minority increases dramatically day by day. Under the protection of government, 969 movement led by monk Wirathu is actively participating in anti-Muslims campaign. To further advance the agenda of Islamophobia and racism, 969 movements is implementing news media channel, radio-broadcasting, conference, etc.
Hate speech against Muslims minority, particularly, against Rohingya is widespread and pervasive in the society with the help of social media. Until now, no action has been taken by the government. Racism and xenophobia become justification of persecution of Rohingya minority by the government and general public, including burning Muslims alive. The new law such as “Laws on Protection of Race and Religion,” which is coming into effect, is completely aimed at Muslims minority to further legalize the oppression against Rohingya. Rohingya are oppressed based on solely race and religion.
We are deeply troubled that this racism will be spreading across the region. The response from international community against this new rising of racism is not satisfactory.
Dear Mr. President, we, therefore, is urging the Human Rights Council to call on Myanmar government to:
- Take action against 969 movements and other organization that involved in anti-Muslims violence.
- Condemn and take action against hate-speech and propaganda against all ethnic and religious groups
I thank you!
