MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Burma

11.9.2012 - (2012/2784(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Véronique De Keyser, Ana Gomes, Marc Tarabella, Liisa Jaakonsaari on behalf of the S&D Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0426/2012

B7‑0449/2012

European Parliament resolution on persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Burma

(2012/2784(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the 1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol thereto,

 

- having regard to the statement by the EU High Representative on the crisis in Northern Rakhine State in Burma/Myanmar of 13 June 2012 ,

 

- having regard to the statement by EU Commissioner Georgieva on humanitarian access to Rohingya and other affected communities of 9^th August 2012

 

- having regard to the statement of the US Secretary of State on violence in the Rakhine State of 11^th June 2012

 

- having regard to the Council conclusions on Burma/Myanmar (23^rd April 2012)

 

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Burma/Myanmar, in particular the one of 20 April 2012

 

having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

 

A. whereas on 3r of June ten Muslim men have been beaten to death on board of a bus by local Rakhine Buddhists leading to riots and reprisals in better part of Rakhine State,

 

B. whereas the outbreak of uncontrolled ethnic violence in Rakhine State in Burma is attributed to the rape and killing of a Buddhist woman in May 2012 where the perpetrators were believed to be Muslims,

 

C. whereas the Rohingya ethnic minority, estimated at 800 000 and 1 mln people, live in appalling conditions along the border with Bangladesh and are despised by the predominant Buddhist population; whereas the Burmese law and policy discriminate against Rohingya and the 1982 Citizenship Law denies them citizenship of Burma/Myanmar,

 

D. whereas there are credible reports of a wide range of human rights abuses against Rohingyas and other Rakhine Muslims carried out by both Rakhine Buddhists and the state forces;

 

E. whereas the security forces, police and army have conducted massive sweeps in the areas inhabited by Rohingyas that resulted in arrests and detention of hundreds of men, some of whom were subject to ill-treatment; whereas most of those arrests seem to be arbitrary and discriminatory,

 

 

 

 

F. whereas despite the State of Emergency and curfews imposed in Rakhine State on 10^th of June the violence continues,

 

G. whereas at least a 100 people have lost their lives since the conflict began and between 50 000 and 90 000 are estimated to be displaced;

 

H. whereas the Burmese authorities have restricted access to affected areas, in particular the Rohingya villages, thus impending delivery of humanitarian aid,

 

I. whereas since the beginning of ethnic clashes thousands of Rohingya have fled to the neighbouring Bangladesh where they have been pushed back to the sea by Bangladeshi border authorities in clear violation of international law,

 

J. whereas in August 2012 the authorities of Bangladesh have requested that three international NGOs financed by the EU and providing life-saving assistance to Rohingya refugees in the camps to cease their activity;

 

K. whereas the European Union and the international community have welcomed recent reforms in Burma and the steps undertaken by the President Thein Sein to put the country on the path towards democratisation and national reconciliation, including tackling ethnic problems; whereas the current situation in Burma/Myanmar could endanger the prospects for democracy and stability in the country,

 

 

 

1. Is alarmed about the continuing ethnic violence in western Burma that, since 3^rd June caused many deaths, injuries, destruction of property and displacement of local populations; is worried that the continued ethnic clashes may put at risk the transition to democracy in Burma/Myanmar;

2. Urges the Burmese authorities to take immediate measures to put an end to the ethnic violence and abuses by its own security forces; calls on the government to hold accountable all those responsible for criminal acts, including state security officials who employed excessive and unnecessary force against the Rohingya,

3. Urgently demands that the government of Burma provide the UN agencies and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations unhindered access to all areas of Rakhine State and guarantees unrestricted access to humanitarian aid for all affected populations,

 

4. Calls for an urgent and transparent investigation into the reports of involvement of Burmese security forces in killings, rape and mass arrests against Rohingya Muslims after having failed to protect both them and Arakan Buddhist and for an immediate release of those arbitrarily arrested,

 

5. Calls on the international community to send independent monitors to assess the situation and take the necessary measures to prevent a humanitarian crisis; requests that the Burmese government allow international monitors to visit the affected areas and offers full access and cooperation to the office of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma and to the OHCHR;

6. Welcomes the creation of an independent Commission on Rakhine State and calls on the Burmese authorities to provide it with the necessary resources and operational independence;

7. Urgently appeals to the government of Bangladesh to re-open its borders and to admit and provide the necessary protection to the Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Burma, in line with its international obligations;

8. Further calls on the Bangladeshi authorities to allow the humanitarian aid organisations to continue their work in the country, especially in light of the events in the Rakhine State resulting in additional flows of refugees in dire need of basic care;

9. Calls on the government of Burma to end discriminatory practices against the Rohingya; reiterates its earlier calls for amending or repealing the 1982 Citizenship Law so as to offer the Rohingya minority the possibility to obtain Burmese citizenship,

 

10. Believes that the solution to the many ethnic problems in Burma/Myanmar lies in an inclusive dialogue with local ethnic and religious leaders, including Rohingya; is therefore concerned about the statement of President Thein Sein of 12 July saying that the only solution to the Rohingya problem was expatriation of the Rohingya to other countries or to camps overseen by the UN Refugee Agency,

 

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Governments and Parliaments of Burma/Myanmar and of Bangladesh, the EU High Representative, the Commission, the parliaments and governments of the Member States, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and the UN Human Rights Council.