Recently renewed combat in northeastern Myanmar between troops of the military government and ethnic minority militias has in the past few days become more complicated, as two minority groups not previously involved in the fighting stepped into the fray, claiming to act as a third force for stability. - AP
NAYPYIDAW: As chair of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in 2025, Malaysia is being called upon to take a leading role in addressing the humanitarian crisis and safeguarding the rights and lives of the Rohingya people in Myanmar.
The ongoing violence against the predominantly Muslim Rohingya population has prompted the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) to call for urgent international intervention.
In a recent interview with Bernama, its President, Tun Khin, said that despite provisional measures by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) intended to protect the Rohingya population, these protective measures have proven insufficient.
"As an ASEAN member country, we need Malaysia, as chairman of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in 2025, to recognise the emergency crisis facing the Rohingya.
"Malaysia must lead efforts to halt the genocide and extrajudicial killings targeting Rohingya by both sides," he urged.
Tun Khin said that the situation in Burma is dire, with the military weakening while revolutionary groups grow stronger by the day, adding that the Rohingya community supports all revolutionary groups fighting against the military dictatorship in Myanmar.
However, he highlighted the tragic irony that these same revolutionary forces, particularly the Arakan Army, are now perpetrating violence against the Rohingya under the pretext of forced recruitment.
The Rohingya, already genocide survivors from the 2017 atrocities committed by the Myanmar military, are now facing a new wave of terror.
According to Tun Khin, 600,000 Rohingya in Rakhine state are living in a precarious situation, with at least 2,000 killed in the past two months alone by both the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army.
This violence is particularly severe in the Buthidaung area, which has a significant Rohingya population, he said.
"The Rohingya are caught in the middle of the fighting between the Arakan Army and the Burmese military. They are subjected to forced recruitment and face constant threats to their lives and homes," he explained.
When asked by Bernama whether he believed in the Junta's pledge to hold an election and return the country to a democratic administration, the organisation's president, responded that he did not support the Burmese military's promise to reinstate democratic rule in Myanmar.
He emphasised that the Rohingyas seek their citizenship rights, indigenous rights, and all other rights that were taken away by the Burmese military dictatorship.
Tun Khin asserted that the Rohingya community is committed to the establishment of an all-inclusive federal union, and stated that when discussing the future of a federal unity government, the Rohingya should be included in the process as an ethnic group.
He expressed a clear rejection of any form of military dictatorship, emphasising the need to secure their rights and identify the military as the common enemy of Myanmar.
"This is the military that killed thousands of Rohingyas in 2017, the same military under the leadership of Min Aung Hlaing, who ordered the burning of 390 villages at least, burning alive Rohingya children, and the rape of thousands of Rohingya women.
"We as Rohingyas including other ethnic minorities have faced many decades of persecution, particularly the genocide we faced under the Burmese military,” he said.
Tun Khin explained that whenever a military regime knows it is about to lose power, it attempts to divert the international community's attention by claiming the backing of the country's military and attempting to hold an election.
He asserted that this strategy would not work, as the regime had lost the trust of the people and no longer represented the country, having lost control of 70 per cent of its territory.
Meanwhile, in April 2021, to achieve a peaceful resolution in Myanmar, the leaders of nine Asean member states and Myanmar’s Junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, agreed to follow the Five-Point Consensus (5PC).
The following 5PC were: an immediate end to violence in the country; dialogue among all parties; the appointment of a special envoy; humanitarian assistance by ASEAN; and the special envoy’s visit to Myanmar to meet with all parties.
The Co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition, Nay San Lwin, expressed deep frustration with the lack of progress on Asean's 5PC regarding Myanmar, as over three years have passed since the agreement, yet no tangible results have been seen, despite the junta's promises to comply and implement its measures.
"Asean has a policy of non-interference in internal state matters. However, we have observed a shift in this policy, such as not allowing the junta leader to attend the Asean summit and blocking Myanmar’s foreign minister, which is a positive step.
"But stronger pressure against the Myanmar military is still needed,” he said to Bernama.
Lwin pointed out that the Asean Charter, written by its member countries, should be leveraged to pressure the Burmese military, especially since Myanmar has not complied with or implemented the 5PC.
He emphasised that although Asean does not typically impose sanctions, the current situation in Myanmar affects over 50 million people, with the Rohingya suffering the most.
The military's actions since the coup have led to over 70,000 homes being destroyed, more than 500,000 killed, and over 25,000 arbitrarily arrested, continuing what he described as an ongoing genocide against the Rohingya.
"We urge the Asean community to take stronger action against Myanmar, not just in terms of condemnation and blocking, because this has not changed the situation.
"The Asean countries must find a solution to stop this problem, as it is not only an internal matter. People are fleeing to Thailand and Malaysia, making it a regional issue,” he stressed
Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962, with only a brief period of civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. However, even that government had to share power with the military, Lwin said.
He stressed that Asean must aim for a stable and developed Myanmar, addressing regional issues such as the migration of Rohingya boat people and other migrants.
"There are bigger problems than the coup itself, as the people are suffering. The conscription law has led to young people fleeing the country.
"We are facing the worst situation in the entire country. Asean must change its charter, as the non-interference policy gives the Burmese military impunity.”
Myanmar's conscription law, which was first introduced in 2010, was re-activated in February 2024 by the Junta. The law requires all men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 to serve in the armed forces for at least two years.
Lwin called for Asean to allow victims to file cases against the military, and believes that if Asean countries agree to allow accountability and justice, it would put significant pressure on the Myanmar military. - Bernama
