Save the Rohingyas

As one of the most vicious ethnic cleansing the world has witnessed in recent times is currently
unfolding in Rakhine state of Burma, the 72 annual meeting of the UN general assembly, that
has a focus on the theme, Focusing on people: Striving for peace and a decent life for all on a
sustainable planet apparently has now become a defining moment for international
community- whether or not the member states are committed to eradicate a crime as
despicable as ethnic cleansing in the 21st century.
It has been years, since the UN agencies, and rights groups campaigning for definitive action to
prevent oppression and atrocities against Rohingya people of Burma, an ethnic minority that
has been labeled by the experts as the most oppressed group of people of the world.
The international community has acknowledged the sufferings of the Rohigyas and expressed
concerns time and time again, but ironically, it was never followed by actions to a sufficient
degree. Today, almost 800000 of a total of 1.2 million Rohingya population are homeless, living
the miserable life of a refugee mostly in neighboring Bangladesh, which by itself is a densely
populated country, struggling to provide basic needs of its own population.
In the past three weeks, Bangladesh has housed almost 400000 of Rohingya refugees, who
were forcibly evicted from their homes by Burmese security forces and local Rakhine militia
groups.
UN agencies and aid groups through their credible sources have reported torching of Rohingya
inhabitants, and consistent accounts of extrajudicial killings, including shooting of fleeing
civilians, and creation of minefields in a narrow strip of land crucial for border crossing.
The survivors of the atrocities have narrated, that the river Naf, which marks border between
Bangladesh and Burma is strewn with the carcasses of innocent civilians, including women and
children.
Army and the Criminal thugs of the local militia gang raped and killed Rohingya girls.
In many cases, women were raped in presence of their husband and children, girls were raped
in front of the loved ones, and taken to military camps as sex slaves.
Anas Mia, a 10-year-old Rohingya child told the prime minister of Bangladesh Seikh Hasina, who
has committed food and shelter to rohingyas as long as it takes, that he had to witness murders
of his parents by army when they were on cusp of fleeing to Bangladesh.
Anas, who was shot in his nose, leg, and hand had to learn that three of his siblings were also
shot dead by Burmese security forces.
In the 21st century, no government, no matter how conflicting the situation is, or which global
power theyre politically backed by, should be allowed to carry out a crime as heinous as ethnic
cleansing- forcing 800000 people out of home, mass killing of civilians, and raping of women.
Samantha Powers A Problem from Hell sums it up accurately for the world leaders, especially
the U.S. If the U.S. (or preferably in combination with the other major international powers
acting collectively or acting through the UN) has the ability to prevent the systematic killing of
an innocent group of civilians, who are being systematically cleansed due to their ethnicity,
religion, etc., we have a moral duty to do so.
Right now, in the camps of Ukhia Hundreds of thousands of people are in dire need. Unless
their most basic food, water and health needs are met urgently, we risk humanitarian
catastrophe.
But ultimately, the world must confront the evil, that is upon Rohingya people, and must stop
appeasing Burmese regime of which, whether accepted or not, Aung San Suu kyi is now a part
of. In the hope of peace and democracy, the world has given benefit of doubt to Burmese
regime for too long, which has lead us to the bloodsheds and catastrophes of today.
Ensuring safety of Rohingya people also means ensuring, that the members of the Burmese
Military regime are brought to justice at the international criminal court to stand trial for crimes
against humanity otherwise we risk more catastrophes by oppressive governments around
the world.
The International community must act now. The Rohingya people can no longer afford errors,
misjudgments, and inability to take actions of international community. Neither the
international community can afford to fail to save the life and liberty of an entire ethnic group.

Nur E Emroz Alam Tonoy

Bangladeshi Blogger and Activist