Safe zones for Rohingyas

Bangladesh has taken a much needed diplomatic initiative to request the UN, Germany, India and International Committee of the Red Cross to set up a "safe zone" in Myanmar to ensure safety, security, food and shelter for the thousands of Rohingyas fleeing violence and possible death. A safe zone will also help to stop further influx of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh, already overburdened with an exodus of 1,64,000 Rohingyas in the last two weeks.

It should be clear to the UN and the international community in general, that solving the Rohingya crisis is everyone's responsibility. Bangladesh is far from being equipped to absorb the continuous influx of refugees that are adding to the existing lakhs who live in camps in dire conditions. But for the present humanitarian crisis, members of the international community must come forward and provide immediate humanitarian aid. The Rohingya refugees are fleeing the worst kind of violence that includes executions, torture and rape. They are in need of medical care, food and shelter. This should be immediately provided by the international community through coordinated efforts.

At the same time the international community must place pressure on Myanmar to put an immediate end to the persecution caused by its armed forces. For this it is crucial that heads of state of various countries strongly raise the Rohingya crisis in the next UN General Assembly meeting. In addition, China and India, both of which maintain close relations with Myanmar, must ask its government to put an end to the repression of Rohingyas and to help repatriate them to Myanmar. So far no such efforts have been seen.

This is a test for the international community to show how sincere, unprejudiced and effective it is in stopping what amounts to crimes against humanity and the ensuing humanitarian crisis, regardless of the ethnicity, race or religion of the victims.