Date: 31st October 2020
Joint statement
Myanmar Army Trying to Incite Violence Between Rohingya and Rakhine
We, the undersigned Rohingya organisations, are increasingly worried about the
propaganda war being stepped up by the Myanmar Army, the Tatmadaw, in
Rakhine State and online. The Tatmadaw is trying to instigate more conflicts
between Rohingya and Rakhine people, and destroying peaceful co-existence.
During the last week, disturbing developments such as instigation to sow new
discord between Rohingya and Rakhine people have taken place both in Rakhine
State and online. In Rakhine State, the Tatmadaw is trying to destabilize
relationship between two communities. This information has come from multiple,
reliable sources, and it puts the life of the 600,000 remaining Rohingya in
Rakhine State in grave danger, as well as all the Rakhine living there.
Tun Khin, President of BROUK, has also come under attack through fake
Facebook accounts during the last few days. Several accounts with Tun Khin’s
name and photo have been published, where Tun Khin is portrayed as levelling
accusations at the commander-in-chief of the Arakan Army, including taking
funds from international bodies and governments. These posts have been watched
tens of thousands of times shared through Opera Mini, a Burmese military video
channel.
We, as Rohingya, want peaceful, co-existence with Rakhine people in Arakan
State. The show of solidarity between Rohingya and Rakhine people, who are
both suffering under the Tatmadaw is clearly making the Tatmadaw nervous and
they are trying to instil discord between our two people. The Tatmadaw is trying
to portray a false narrative to Rakhine people about our leaders and the Rohingya.
The international community needs to bring this up urgently with the Burmese
government.
These latest incidents show that the international community also needs to step
up its efforts for justice for the Rohingya, and all groups in Myanmar suffering
under the Tatmadaw. It is not enough for international governments, just to call
on Myanmar to end all abuses against civilians. It must be reinforced by action.
More states should follow the lead of Canada and the Netherlands and join The
Gambia’s case at the ICJ, demonstrating in a practical way international support
for justice.
Every UN member should also explore opening cases in their own jurisdictions
under the principle of Universal Jurisdiction.
Members of the UN Security Council should also support a full referral of the
situation in Myanmar to the ICC, which will guarantee a comprehensive
investigation of the full range of the Tatmadaw’s crimes against all ethnic people,
not just some crimes against the Rohingya, as is the case with the current
investigation.
The genocide against the Rohingya is ongoing, and the Rakhine people are being
subjected to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The international community has been talking for years about the need for
reconciliation and greater understanding between communities in Rakhine State,
but providing little practical support for such efforts. Now that grass-roots
organisations, without international support, have nevertheless begun to make
progress in this area, the Tatmadaw is desperate to undermine it.
The only price the Tatmadaw has paid for genocide of the Rohingya has been a
small number of soldiers being banned from enjoying holidays in the EU and
USA. The international community has taken no action at all in response to the
military onslaught against Rakhine people and killing of Rakhine civilians.
We call on all countries to support and defend the tentative steps of trust building
which have been taking place between Rohingya, Rakhine and other communities
in Rakhine State, and make public statements, ensuring that communities are
aware of the Tatmadaw dirty tricks and campaigns, deterring them from further
acts of inciting violence.
We call on all countries to implement all of the recommendations of the
Independent International United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar.
Signatories -
1. Arakan Rohingya Development Association - Australia
2. Australian Burmese Rohingya Organisation
3. British Rohingya Community in UK
4. Burmese Rohingya Association in Queensland
5. Burmese Rohingya Association Japan (BRAJ)
6. Burmese Rohingya Community Australia (BRCA)
7. Burmese Rohingya Community in Denmark
8. Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK)
9. Canadian Burmese Rohingya Organisation
10. Canadian Rohingya Development Initiative
11. European Rohingya Council (ERC)
12. Free Rohingya Coalition (FRC)
13. Los Angeles Rohingya Association
14. Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation in Malaysia
15. Rohingya Action Ireland
16. Rohingya American Society
17. Rohingya Arakanese Refugee Committee
18. Rohingya Association of Canada
19. Rohingya Community in Norway
20. Rohingya Community in Netherlands
21. Rohingya Culture Centre Chicago
22. Rohingya Human rights initiative
23. Rohingya Human Rights Network (Canada)
24. Rohingya Refugee Network
25. Rohingya Society Malaysia
26. Rohingya Organisation Norway
27. Rohingya Women Development Network (RDWN)
28. Rohingya Women Welfare Association (RWWS)
29. Swedish Rohingya Association
For more information, Please Contact:
Tun Khin +44 7888714866
Nay San Lwin +49 17662139138
Dr Hla Kyaw +31 652358202