On Thursday 19 September, the European Parliament called on the authorities in Myanmar to put an end to the acts of violence perpetrated by the armed forces against the Rohingya Muslim minority, which, according to the United Nations, “amount to genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity”.
Parliament therefore reiterates its calls on the government, under the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi, and on the security forces, to put an immediate end to the ongoing violations, killings and sexual and gender-based violence against Rohingya people and other ethnic groups, in accordance with the joint resolution put forward by the ECR, Greens/EFA, S&D, Renew Europe, GUE/NGL and EPP groups on the subject of Myanmar, particularly the situation facing the Rohingya, which was adopted by 546 votes to 12, with 94 abstentions.
Parliament also demanded that the government also allow full and unhindered access to Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States for international observers, and accept independent and impartial investigations into allegations of serious and systematic human rights violations, arguing that “the perpetrators of such crimes must be brought to justice without delay”.
More broadly, MEPs condemn the discrimination against the Rohingya and the severe restrictions imposed on their freedom of movement and the deprivation of their basic services. The European Parliament stresses that “the Government of Myanmar must acknowledge and recognise the full citizenship of the Rohingya, including the corresponding rights and constitutional safeguards”, adding that it further calls on the government to enter into dialogue with Rohingya officials.
MEPs also call on the government to create the conditions and guarantees for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return, under the oversight of the United Nations, of those Rohingya who wish to return to their native land, and to abide by the principle of non-refoulement.
To read the resolution, go to: http://bit.ly/2mouDUO (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)