Rohingyas Urge EP to Pressure Myanamr Regime to Stop Ethnic-Cleansing

Rohingya refugee Suray Khatun, 70, is carried by her son Said-A-Lam, 38, as they enter Kutupalong refugee camp, near Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh after crossing the Myanmar border.

Brussels, MINA – Dr Anita Schug, spokesperson of the European Rohingya Council, called Monday on the European Parliament to pressure Myanmar’s military and civilian leadership to end the violence and ethnic cleansing of the Muslim Rohingyas.

The appeal came as a nine-member delegation of the European Parliament began today a four-day visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh borders to gain a first-hand impression on current developments in the region.

They will visit Rohingya camps, meet with representatives of international NGOs working on Rakhine State, Myanmar civil society organisations, religious and political leaders as well as with members of civil society and media, KUNA reported, quoting an EP press release.

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“This is a key opportunity for EU officials to see for themselves the dire situation faced by the Rohingya, who carry the scars of unimaginable destruction committed against them by the Burmese military and local Rakhine vigilantes” said Anita Schug in a statement.

“The visit is a unique occasion for EU representatives to assert that Myanmar’s military and civilian leadership adhere to the demands of the Rohingya people and international community to end the violence, stop ethnic cleansing,” she stressed.

The Rohingya spokesperson called for full access to Rakhine State for UN aid agencies, the UN Fact-Finding Mission, UN Special Rapporteur Ms Yanghee Lee, and local and international media.

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“If the authorities do not abide by these demands, the EU must implement targeted sanctions and other punitive measures,” said the statement.

It noted that the EP delegation visit comes at a time of peak contention between the government of Myanmar and the international community.

The authorities in Myanmar have refused to comply with the mandate of Special Rapporteur Lee by denying her entry into the country. Similarly, a visit to Rakhine State in February by the UN Security Council was not granted by the Myanmar authorities. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)