STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST ROHINGYA MINORITY by Fardah

Jakarta, Aug 30, 2017 (Antara) - Rakhine State, home to some one million Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority, has been bleeding again over the last several days following an escalation of tensions triggered by clashes between militants and Myanmar's security forces.

         In its latest report on Aug 28, the office of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi noted that the death toll from clashes between the security forces and Rohingya militants that began on Aug 25, has reached 96, which not only included alleged Rohingya attackers but also 12 security personnel, according to a report by Aljazeera.

         Myanmar's government has accused armed militants from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army for carrying out deadly attacks on police outposts, which sparked the latest violence.

         Since the violence erupted, thousands of Rohingyas, mostly women, children, and elderly, had fled towards Bangladesh, but authorities there refused entry to most of them.

         The Rohingya ethnic group living in Myanmar's Rakhine State is one of the world's most persecuted minority groups, according to a UN report.

         Indonesia has always expressed concern over the problem in Rakhine, where the Muslim Rohingyas  continue to face persecution and atrocities, and several women were raped and children were killed.

         Indonesia, singlehandedly as well as in cooperation with other members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has been working on measures to help improve the situation in Rakhine, where the Muslim minority have been oppressed and discriminated for years.

        Following the latest violence, Indonesia has expressed hope that the Government of Myanmar would prioritize humanitarian aspects to prevent casualties in dealing with the crisis.

         "There should be no more civilian casualties, in particular," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi informed the press at the presidential palace in Jakarta on Aug 29.

         She urged all conflicting parties to exercise restraint and avoid violence that could worsen the security situation.

         Security and protection are humanitarian necessities that should be inclusively provided to every community in Rakhine State.

         The minister called Myanmar's National Security Advisor U Thaung Tun on Aug 29 to coordinate about the ongoing situation in Rakhine State.

         "While speaking to the national security advisor, I emphasized that Indonesia remains committed to cooperating and providing assistance to the Myanmar government to deal with the situation or to develop Rakhine State inclusively," Marsudi stated.

         Indonesia expects the Myanmar government to take immediate steps to restore security and provide inclusive protection.

         A peaceful and secure situation in Myanmar, including in Rakhine State, is important to support stability and sustainable development in the region of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

         To this end, Indonesia will continue to work with Myanmar on the reconciliation process and inclusive development in Rakhine State, including the implementation of Kofi Annan's recommendations.

         Indonesia's largest Muslim Organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has urged Myanmar's government, ASEAN, and UN to stop violence against Rohingya Muslims.

          "The attacks and violence against Rohingya Muslims must end," Helmy Faishal Zaini, secretary general of the NU executive Board (PBNU), said in Jakarta, on Aug 28.

            The PBNU has strongly condemned the acts of violence and killing of Rohingya. Such forms of violence cannot be accepted or tolerated for whatever pretext and motive, he stated.

            "We demand that the relevant parties, particularly the Myanmar government, the United Nations Security Council, and ASEAN, become proactive and take strategic measures to end this humanitarian tragedy," he noted.

            Faith and ideological differences must not be used as excuses to act against others, he emphasized.

            He quoted Sayyidina Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, as saying that those who are not your brothers or sisters in faith are brothers and sisters in humanity. This is very important to realize that humanity is the main basis to building peace," he remarked.

       A similar appeal was voiced by Indonesian House Speaker Setya Novanto who said that the atrocity against Rohinygas was violation of human rights.

          "Stop violence against Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine. Cruelty must be stopped, and there should be no more blood and tears," Novanto said in his remarks during a plenary session to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), at Parliament Building on Aug 29.

          In the middle of the session, Jazuli Juwaini, chairman of the Justice Prosperous Party (PKS), interrupted the meeting and stated that the violence and genocide against Rohingya Muslims must be stopped.

          He urged the Indonesian government to play an active role and help create a world order.

          The legislator also called on the DPR leadership to push the Indonesian government to take concrete steps to help end the violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

           Another lawmaker of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Chaeruddin, also interrupted the session and noted that Rohingya refugees are suffering and were stranded because Bangladesh had refused entry for them.

         He remarked that the Indonesian government must take a stance against this human right violation and provide humanitarian aid to the refugees.

         In fact, on Aug 29, the Indonesian Scout Movement (Pramuka) sent a humanitarian mission to Rakhine State, Myanmar, to distribute meat from the Islamic Sacrifice Feast (Idul Adha) that will fall on Friday (Sept 1) in Indonesia.

        "This will be the fourth time, because under the leadership of Brother Adhyaksa Dault, we always send meat from sacrificed animal to the refugee camps of Muslims in Rakhine State, Sittwe, Myanmar," Eko Sulistyo, spokesman of the Indonesian Scout Headquarters said.

         To be staying in Myanmar for 10 days for the humanitarian mission, the Scout has provided five cows and 20 goats/sheep to be sacrificed.

          Besides, the Pramuka will also distribute rice, vegetable, sugar, salt, and several other commodities.

         Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned by reports that civilians have been killed during security operations in Myanmar's Rakhine state and appealed for neighboring Bangladesh to allow fleeing Rohingya to seek safety, his spokesman said on Aug 28.

          "Many of those fleeing are women and children, some of whom are wounded," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

          "(The Secretary-General) calls for humanitarian agencies to be granted unfettered and free access to affected communities in need of assistance and protection. The United Nations stands ready to provide all necessary support to both Myanmar and Bangladesh in that regard," Dujarric said.

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(T.F001/A/BESSR/F. Assegaf) 30-08-2017