Waiting for a peaceful Rakhine
According to the UN, at least 30,000 Rohingyas have been displaced by the recent violence in the Rakhine state. They have been made victims of gang rape, torture, eviction, firing, assault, and carnage since the Myanmar army started crackdown on the Rohingyas. It is inhumane and unacceptable. The Myanmar government must stop the bloody crackdown on the Rohingyas and rehabilitate them on their land ensuring citizenship and security. Being neighbouring states as well as having economic and political interests, countries like India, China and Bangladesh have a responsibility to resolve the Rohingya crisis through mutual agreement. The international community should exert pressure on Myanmar to bring an end to the oppression of the Rohingyas. Aung San Suu Kyi came to power raising expectations that her government would address the woes of the Rohingyas and other ethnic communities who constitute about 40 percent of Myanmar's population. It is true that the Myanmar army still controls home affairs, defence and border affairs, making it almost impossible for the civilian government to make drastic changes on the state's stand on key issues. That said, Suu Kyi has a moral obligation to do everything in her power to end the persecution of Rohingyas.
Toufik Ahmed
Department of International Relations
Rajshahi University
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