The European Parliament (EP) has asked the government of Myanmar to allow the UN and other outside observers to assist in investigating recent events in RakhineState’s Maungdaw district. The EP also urged the military and security forces to stop immediately the ‘killings, harassment and rapes’ of the Rohingya people, and the burning of their homes.
It made the call in a resolution on the situation of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar on December 15. The European Union (EU) in Bangladesh shared resolution’s text on its official Facebook page on Sunday. The resolution underlined the need to appropriately prosecute those responsible, and provide adequate redress for victims of violations.
The EP urged Myanmar to immediately allow humanitarian aid to reach all conflict areas and displaced people, and demanded the government and the civil authorities of Myanmar immediately end the terrible discrimination and segregation of the Rohingya minority. The European Parliament called on Myanmar to lift all unnecessary, discriminatory and disproportional restrictions in RakhineState, and also called on it to improve its cooperation with the UN, including the UNHCR and Special Procedures Mandate-holders.
The EP particularly called upon Bangladesh to allow the entry of Rohingya refugees, whilst acknowledging the efforts already made by Bangladesh to host several hundred thousand refugees. The Parliament said it is extremely concerned about the reports of violent clashes in northern RakhineState and deplores the loss of lives, livelihoods and shelter and the reported disproportionate use of force by the armed forces of Myanmar.
It confirmed that the Myanmar authorities have a duty to investigate the October 9 attacks and prosecute those responsible, but that this must be done in accordance with human rights standards and obligations. Bangladesh says around 50,000 people have fled Myanmar and entered Bangladesh since October 9.
Myanmar will, however, send a special envoy soon to see and evaluate the situation of Rohingya people. Myanmar State Counsellor and leader of the National League for Democracy Aung San Suu Kyi will send the envoy. Myanmar Ambassador in Dhaka Myo Myint Than is in touch with Foreign Ministry officials here to fix the visit and engagements in Dhaka.
