Malaysian PM tells Myanmar to "stop the
killing" of Rohingya
19.01.2017
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak called on Myanmar on
Thursday to stop all discrimination and attacks on Rohingya Muslims and urged
the world's Islamic countries to act to end an unfolding "humanitarian
tragedy".
Malaysia has spoken out strongly against mostly Buddhist
Myanmar over its treatment of its Rohingya minority, especially since October,
when security forces launched a crackdown in the north of Rakhine State on the
Bangladesh border, where many Rohingya live.
At least 86 people have been killed and an estimated 66,000
have fled into Bangladesh since nine Myanmar policemen were killed on Oct. 9 in
attacks on border posts the Myanmar government blamed on Rohingya supported by
foreign militants.
"The killing must stop. The violation of women and
girls must stop," Najib, the leader of Muslim-majority Malaysia told a
meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) called by Malaysia to
discuss the Rohingya. "The persecution of your fellow men and women,
simply on the grounds that they are Muslim, must stop," he said.
Refugees, residents and human rights groups say Myanmar
forces have committed summary executions, raped women and burned homes. But the
Myanmar government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi has denied
the accusations, saying many of the reports are fabricated. It insists the
strife in Rakhine State is an internal matter.
Najib, who joined protesters in Kuala Lumpur last month
calling for foreign intervention to stop "genocide", said Myanmar
must act.
"We call on the government of Myanmar to cease all
discriminatory actions and attacks against the Rohingyas immediately and for
the perpetrators to be brought to justice," he said.
Rohingya have faced discrimination in Myanmar for
generations. They are not classified as a distinct group under citizenship law
and are regarded instead as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, entitled only
to limited rights. The violence in the north of Rakhine State since October is
the most serious since communal clashes in 2012 in which hundreds of people
were killed.
Malaysia summoned Myanmar's ambassador last year to protest
against the treatment of Rohingya, breaking a tradition of non-intervention by
members of the Association of South East Asian Nations in each other's affairs.
Najib said it would be a disgrace if the Southeast Asian
group did not live up to it principles and do its utmost to "avert the
catastrophe that has been unfolding". He told the fellow Muslim countries
of the OIC they could not "stand by and do nothing".
"It is incumbent on us all to do what we can to save
them from the humanitarian tragedy they are suffering," he said.
The OIC represents 57 states with a population of more than
1.6 billion people and acts as the collective voice of the Muslim world.
Najib called on Myanmar to provide unimpeded access for
humanitarian aid to the affected areas and to facilitate the return of
refugees. He said Malaysia would give 10 million ringgit ($2.25 million) for
the humanitarian efforts and send a food flotilla. No further details were made
available.
About 56,000 Rohingya live in Malaysia having fled and
unrest and persecution in Myanmar.
The OIC's special envoy to Myanmar said this week the United
Nations should intervene to avert genocide. OIC Secretary General Yousef Al
Othaimeen said Myanmar must prevent "ongoing discrimination and the
unwarranted systematic abuse against the Rohingya".
Malaysia's top counter-terrorism official has said Myanmar
faces a growing danger of attacks by foreign militants in support of Rohingyas.