Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK today welcomed the historic first UN Security Council Resolution on Burma, but expressed disappointment that it failed to take any practical steps towards ending genocide of the Rohingya and preventing the flow of arms and revenue to the Burmese military.

“The Resolution talks about addressing the root causes of the Rohingya crisis and safe voluntary return for refugees, but includes no practical steps to make that happen. It is just yet more empty words,” said Tun Khin, President of Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK. “There is no referral to the International Criminal Court, no sanctions on those responsible for genocide. UN Security Council members talk of protection for Rohingya refugees while doing nothing to rescue Rohingya refugees adrift in a broken boat for weeks.”

The first ever UN Security Council resolution on Burma was passed yesterday afternoon, with China, Russia and India abstaining. The three countries insisted on significantly watering down the resolution.

Although Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK appreciates the diplomatic effort it has taken to finally secure this first resolution, it has been watered down so much it has only symbolic value. The position of China and Russia, with veto power, makes it highly unlikely this resolution will be a stepping stone towards practical action by the Security Council.

Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK has been campaigning for UN Security Council action on Burma since our founding in 2005. We are calling for:

• A full referral of the situation in Burma to the International Criminal Court.
• An urgent meeting to discuss the non-implementation of provisional measures to prevent ongoing genocide as ordered by the International Court of Justice.
• A global arms embargo and targeted sanctions to cut revenue to the military.
• A ban on the supply of aviation fuel to Myanmar.

“Once again we are seeing the international bodies and mechanisms designed to uphold international law and promote peace failing to work, and Rohingya and others in Burma are paying the price,” said Tun Khin. “We support the call of the UN Special Rapporteur for sympathetic countries such as the USA, EU, UK, and Canada to work together to take practical action outside the UN Security Council, where further progress seems unlikely.”