Rohingya group lauds landmark UN resolution on Myanmar

 

The Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation in Malaysia (MERHROM) has lauded the resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the situation in Myanmar.

MERHROM president Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani (above) said the historic resolution highlighted the basic needs of the people of Myanmar.

However, he pointed out that it failed to include stopping arms transfer to the military junta, justice and accountability, and the gravest international crimes of genocide against the Rohingya people.

The UNSC adopted a resolution on Wednesday, denouncing the Myanmar military’s rights violations since the Feb 1, 2021 coup.

The landmark resolution, passed with 12 yes votes and three abstentions, reflects the Myanmar junta’s growing isolation generated by security force abuses amounting to crimes against humanity and war crimes.

"MERHROM hopes UNSC, the United States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, European Union and Asean including the Malaysian government will continue efforts to stop the Rohingya genocide and atrocities in Myanmar," Zafar said in a statement.

"Following the coup, we are worried more Rohingya and other ethnic groups would become refugees in neighbouring countries. This will increase the cases of human trafficking and boat people.

"The military continues targeting the people of Myanmar throughout the country regardless of ethnicity and religion despite the pressure from the United Nations and the international community," he added.

Zafar said that thousands of Chins have fled to India following recent military attacks and since the military coup thousands of ethnic Kachin have fled to Thailand to seek refuge with no guarantee when they can return home.

"Similarly, the Rohingya in the Cox's Bazar refugee camps, in IDP camps and in exile have no guarantee when they can return home.

"MERHROM hopes the Malaysian government continues to advocate for the oppressed people around the globe including Rohingya, Palestinian, Syrian, Yemeni, Uighur, Kashmiri, Afghanistan, Ukrainian including people of Myanmar.

"Save innocent people around the world without further delay. We suffered enough," he said.

This is the first security council resolution on Myanmar since the country, formerly known as Burma, acquired independence from Britain in 1948. - Mkini