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During a discussion in Myanmar’s Lower House of Parliament on 5 March, a lawmakerrepresenting Sagaing Region’s Min Kin Township referred to Islam as “a cancer” afflicting the country.
Elected Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) MP U Maung Myint’s remarks came while discussing a motion he introduced which opposes the relocation of internally displaced ethnic Kaman Muslims to the commercial capital Yangon. He instead called for them to be returned to their “places of origin.
” The motion was intended to “urge the Union government to reconsider its decision regarding the relocation of 55 Kaman IDP families from Kyaukphyu, Pauktaw and Ramree [in Rakhine State] to Yangon.”
“I think it will be more appropriate if we treat the cancer that is occurring in Rakhine State in the Rakhine State itself. Otherwise, if we send the cancer to the country’s commercial hub Yangon, it is like allowing the cancer to spread to across the country,” U Maung Myint said in the legislative discussion.
While speaking to reporters after the meeting, U Maung Myint said he feared that Muslim populations
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Today the EU Foreign Affairs Council met to conclude decisive international action in response to the dire situation faced by the Rohingya at the hands of the Burmese military. Tun Khin, President of the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK said, “We welcome today’s decision by EU foreign ministers as much needed international action to protect the Rohingya from genocide. We now look to the EU to swiftly implement the policy it set out today.”
“We thank the international community, in particular Bangladesh, for its support to Rohingya refugees. However, we remain deeply concerned about the risk of forcible returns. To mitigate this risk, EU states - from their embassies in Burma to their missions to the UN - must intensify efforts to press for UNHCR’s participation in the repatriation process. In addition, key issues, including citizenship status, numbers of refugees to be voluntarily repatriated, and freedom of movement, should be decided before returns begin. Therefore, refugees themselves must also be provided a seat at the table to determine their futures” said Dr Anita Schug, European Rohingya Council Spokesperson.
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On Tuesday, February 20th, Burmese Authorities told Bangladesh to cease and block aid to a vulnerable group living on the border between the two nations known as “No Man’s Land.” The group is composed of around 6,500 Rohingya who attempted to flee Burma and ended up stranded. Bangladesh has stated Burma should accept these displaced back and Burma has reportedly agreed. The displaced Rohingya, however, have stated that they do not wish to return to Burma until their safety and rights can be assured. Aid groups, through various channels, have managed to supply aid to the stranded, drawing anger from the Burmese authorities.
“The Rohingya stranded between Burma and Bangladesh are there attempting to save their own lives. They have fled horrific violence followed by cruel and deadly cuts in aid. Any policy which would further deny them access to aid or refuge would be devastating and inhumane. While Bangladesh has offered a great deal of support to the Rohingya already, it is imperative that they not only allow access for aid groups to reach these people,
