EU’s reaction to situation in Rakhine State wholly inadequate
Members of the European Burma Network are deeply concerned by the wholly inadequate response to the major human rights and humanitarian crisis engulfing Burma.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini have issued two statements on the Rakhine Crisis on 6th September and 11th September, the first one almost two weeks after the crisis began, both without even mentioning the Rohingya by name. Neither did the statements from the European External Action Service condemn the Burmese military explicitly for the attacks on the Rohingya, the one on 6th September just weakly stating: “The security forces involved in ongoing operations have a duty to exercise maximum restraint and to protect unarmed civilians. There is an urgent need for a de-escalation of tensions, on all sides, and for full observance of international human rights law.”
What is unfolding in Burma right now is probably the worst human rights and man-made humanitarian crisis in decades.
In just three weeks:
The EU needs to move from issuing weak statements to concrete action to help stop the attacks on the Rohingya. It is completely unacceptable that the EU during this crucial time of persecution of the Rohingya does not even refer to the ethnic group by their name.
The EU must now use its powers to put pressure on the Burma military Senior General Min Aung Hlaing through a number of channels.
The European Union and their member states should:
Any engagement with the Burmese military should be critical engagement. The EU should also make it clear to the Burmese government that future support and co-operation is conditioned on a major change of policy towards the Rohingya.
Signed by
Actions Birmanie
Association Suisse Birmanie
Burma Action Ireland
Burma Campaign UK
Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK
Christian Solidarity Worldwide
Info Birmanie
Norwegian Burma Committee
Olof Palme International Center
Society for Threatened Peoples – Germany
Swedish Burma Committee
Link to EEAS Statements:
https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/31738/statement-high-representativevice-president-federica-mogherini-situation-rakhine-state-myanmar_en
View the original statement HERE.