Janjua summons Myanmar envoy to condemn violence against Rohingya Muslims

Published September 9, 2017
Rohingya people wait for relief supplies near a refugee camp in Kutupalong in the Bangladeshi district of Ukhia.— AFP
Rohingya people wait for relief supplies near a refugee camp in Kutupalong in the Bangladeshi district of Ukhia.— AFP

Foreign Secretary Tahmina Janjua summoned Myanmar's ambassador U. Win Myint to the Foreign Office on Saturday to register Pakistan's "strong protest" at the ongoing violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar's Rakhine State.

Janjua demanded that the Myanmar government takes "effective measures to prevent the recurrence of such violence" and ensures that the rights of the Rohingya population are upheld.

The foreign secretary also emphasised that in order to reach a "durable settlement of the problem", the recommendations of the Kofi Annan Commission be implemented that include urgent and sustained action to prevent violence, maintenance of peace, fostering reconciliation, assuring unhindered humanitarian access and addressing the issue of citizenship from which the Rohingya are deprived.

Janjua also called for an investigation into the recent violence and bring those who are "involved in these serious crimes" to justice.

During the visit, Myint assured Janjua that he will convey Pakistan's concerns to the Myanmar government.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif had expressed "deep anguish at the ongoing violence against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar". He said that the Rohingyas' plight is “a challenge to the conscience” of the world and that Pakistan was committed to providing humanitarian aid to them.

Despite mounting international pressure, Myanmar's military forces allegedly continue to persecute the Rohingya Muslim minority by burning down villages and killing the members of the minority group. The violence has escalated after an alleged Rohingya militant group carried out attacks on security forces. Many have fled to Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries.

Myanmar's democratic icon and leader Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi is facing severe criticism from the global community, with many of her fellow Nobel laureates condemning her silence on the matter. However, Suu Kyi has condemned a "huge mountain of misinformation" without mentioning the thousands of refugees flocking to Bangladesh.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

JUST how much longer does the government plan on throttling the internet is a question up in the air right now....
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...