Genocide of Rohingyas in Myanmar

HE The Prime Minister

RT. Hon. Theresa May MP

10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA

United Kingdom. 07 September 2017

Excellency Madam,

Sub. : Please stop the genocide against Rohingyas in Myanmar

Rohingyas, considered the world’s most persecuted minority, have lived for centuries in Myanmar’s far western Rakhine state. Denied citizenship by a military junta since 1982, they have been stateless and without the most basic human rights, thus prey to indiscriminate rape, torture and killing by Myanmar’s military, militants and organised mobs.

In recent days, however, eyewitness accounts of mass rape, killing and ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims have horrified the world. Families, including new-borns, have been slaughtered and burned alive. Whole regions have been bombed and targeted for mass killings.

United Nations officials report that hundreds of thousands of Rohingya women, children and men are streaming into neighbouring Bangladesh after trudging through treacherous ravines and jungles, many falling along the way.

The present Bangladesh Government, it seems, has conveniently forgotten its own past history of the 1971 liberation war against Pakistani military junta (when many from Bangladesh crossed over the border and had taken refuge in India) and, has apparently joined hands with the Burmese Government by closing down its border, thus denying these Rohingyas their only option for survival by taking refuge in Bangladesh.

We in Voice For Justice World Forum, call upon all elected officials and lawmakers, to demand that Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace-prize winner who is the de facto leader of Myanmar, stop the torture and killings of Rohingyas. Aung San Suu Kyi has not said a word so far, a stance that has been denounced by many governments including the UN but unfortunately, not ours. Her silence has only emboldened Myanmar’s militants and security forces in their relentless, seemingly state-sanctioned genocide of the Rohingyas.

We request you as Head of the Government, to demand that the Myanmar Government to put an immediate end to this indiscriminate killing, torture and forceful deportation of Rohingyas from their country.

We also demand that the British Government reminds Bangladesh Government to fulfil its international and human rights obligations by not pushing these Rohingyas back to their death traps in Myanmar.

We also call upon the Government in the UK to provide humanitarian aid to the refugees streaming into Bangladesh "and distribute this aid to these Rohingyas in dire distress through international NGOs, and to sponsor and enforce a Resolution in the UN Security Council to immediately stop the genocide of Rohingyas.

With best regards.

Dr. Hasanat Husain MBE

On behalf of:

1. Coalition for Human Rights and Democracy in Bangladesh and,

2. Voice For Justice World Forum (www.voiceforjustice.org)

Signatories :

1. Dr. Hasanat Husain MBE, UK

2. Dr. Hasan Zillur Rahim, Physicist/Academic, San Hose, USA

3. Dr. Taj Hashmi, Prof. of Security Studies, Austin Peay State University, USA

4. Dr. Moyeen Khan, Former Minister for Science and Technology, BD.

5. Prof. Dr. Yousuf Haider, Former Pro Vice Chancellor, Univ.of Dhaka, BD

6. Mr. Hasan Mahmood, VFJ Convenor, Toronto, Canada.

7. Mr. Enam Ali, MBE, UK

8. Mr. Wali Tasar Uddin MBE, UK

9. Mr. Colin Short, Redbridge, UK

10. Mr. Geoff F. Coggins, Greenwich, UK

11. Miss Dilruba Z. Ara, Author/writer/Novelist, Sweden

12. Mr. Enam Choudhury, VFJ Convenor, Stockholm, Sweden

13. Mr. Jasim Din FCA, Chicago, USA

14. Miss Afsana Mirza, Head of Science, London, UK

15. VFJ Dr Hosne Ara Haq, GP London, UK

16. Mr. Mohd. Nurul Mustafa, VFJ Convenor, Kuala Lumper, Malaysia

17. VFJ Dr. Fred Oldenhuizing, President of the BDCC and Chairman of the LFB (National Federation for the Interests of disabled people in The Netherlands) Onnen, The Netherlands

18. VFJ Mr. Tahir Mohamed, Mogadishu, Somalia

19. Mr. Ghazwan Raouf, Thames Ditton, Surrey, UK

20. Prof.Mohammed Mazharul Hannan, Former Treasurer, Khulna University, BD

21. Prof. Dr. Anwar Islam, School of International Development & Global Affairs, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

22. Dr. Shamsun Nahar, Senior Lecturer, City University of London, UK

23. Dr. A Mannan, Consultant Aneasthist, London, UK

24. Dr. Haroon Rashid GP, London, UK

25. Mrs. Shahida Husain FRSA, London, UK

26. Mr. Tommy Mia MBE, Edinburgh, UK

27. VFJ Convenor, Birmingham Mr. Abdul Latif JP

28. VFJ Convenor Luthfur Rahman Choudhury, Dhaka, BD

29. Mr. Hassan Nawaz, Wilmington, Delaware, USA

30. Cllr. Shah Alam, Tower Hamlets, London, UK

31. Mr. Isbah Uddin, Chairperson, GSC SE Region, UK

32. Mr. Anwar Jack Khan, Science Lecturer, Leicester, UK

33. Mr. Abu Taher MBE, Leicester, UK

34. Cllr. Rabina Khan, Tower Hamlets, London, UK

35. Engineer Shoukri Mohammed Bashir, Tunis, Tunisia.

36. Mr. Zohur Uddin, CEO, Community Connect, Birmingham, UK

37. Mr. Shamsuddin Ahmed MBE, Chester, UK

38. Barrister Ataur Rahman, London, UK

39. Mr. Monchab Ali JP, Chester, UK

40. Mr. Ejazur Rahman, VFJ Convenor, Kuwait

41. Barrister Abdul Majid Taher, Nottingham, UK

42. Mr. Mamunur Rashid MBE FCCA, UK
Syed Mahmud Husain, Senior Lecturer, Singapore.
Abdullah Al Mamun, Basking Ridge, New Jersey, USA
Md Atiqur Rahman, Rd 12, Mirpur DOHS, Dhaka, BD
Shahnewaz Shaheen, Brooklyn, NY USA
Advocate Shamsut Tibrij, Lawyer, Dhaka, BD
Shahedul Islam. A-6/1, BAU R/A, Mymensingh 2202, BD

43. Premu Rozario, Dhaka, BD

44. Dr. Christopher Cousins, Former Professor of Exeter University, Devon, UK

45. Professor Tony Booth, Visiting Fellow, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, UK.

46.

Response from the Prime Minister's office and the FCO

Our reference: EMOP/855/2017

Dr Hasanat Husain MBE

By email: dr.hasanathusain@yahoo.co.uk

Dear Dr Husain,

Thank you for your emails of 3 and 8 September to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary respectively, about Burma. The Central Correspondence Unit has been asked to reply.

The British Government is concerned by the deterioration of the situation in Rakhine State, following an attack on police posts by Rohingya militants, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) on 25 August. We are particularly concerned about reports of widespread violence against Rohingya civilians, largely perpetrated by police and ethnic (Buddhist) vigilantes.

As an immediate response, on 30 August, the UK convened a discussion on Burma at the UN Security Council. The UK condemned the attacks by Rohingya militants, urged the security forces in Rakhine to show restraint and called for all parties to de-escalate tensions. The Foreign Secretary released a statement on 2 September calling for an end to the violence. Our Ambassador has lobbied the Burmese Government and our High Commissioner in Dhaka also discussed the situation with the Government of Bangladesh.

The latest violence emphasises the importance of addressing the underlying issues in Rakhine. We continue to urge the Government of Burma to improve living conditions and citizenship status of the Rohingya and all communities in Burma, particularly those who face severe discrimination, such as the Rohingya.

We also remain concerned that human rights violations by the Burmese security forces following the violence in October 2016 have not been fully investigated or addressed. That is why the UK co-sponsored a resolution at the Human Rights Council which set up a Fact Finding Mission to look into the human rights situation in Burma. The UK urges the Government of Burma to cooperate with the Fact Finding Mission and its mandate. We stand ready to provide any support necessary to support Burma in continuing its transition to democracy.

The British Government has continued to discuss the situation in Rakhine with the Government of Burma. The Foreign Secretary and the former Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Alok Sharma MP, raised these concerns with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi during her visit to the UK from 4-9 May, as did the Minister of State for International Development, the Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP during his visit in July 2017, where he also met with Rohingya leaders. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary phoned Aung San Suu Kyi on 7 September. They discussed humanitarian access and agreed that any allegations of human rights abuses should be looked into.

We also support the Rakhine Advisory Commission, led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and welcome its report published on 24 August. The Commission recommended that the Government of Burma takes full responsibility for all residents in Rakhine State and ensures access to services and humanitarian aid. We assess that the Commission’s recommendations provide the most realistic solution to address the issues in Rakhine. The UK stands ready to support Burma to implement the recommendations.

The UK has long been one of the biggest bilateral humanitarian donors to Burma and to Rakhine State. Since 2012, we have provided over £30 million in humanitarian assistance, supporting work, including on sanitation and nutrition for over 126,000 people. Through other programmes, we are also supporting longer term development for all communities.

Human rights and democratic reform will remain at the heart of British policy. We are committed to being a vocal advocate for change in Burma and continue to press for action at every opportunity to resolve issues of real concern.

Yours sincerely,

Central Correspondence Unit

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Wednesday, 11 October 2017, 20:19

Subject: British Prime Minister's response in the House of Parliament on 'Rohingya' issue

Channel 4 News Democracy

Response from the Chairman's Office of the Conservative Party, UK

Dear Dr Husain,

Thank you for your email about the deteriorating situation in Rakhine State.

We are extremely concerned by the situation in Rakhine State and the displacement of tens of thousands of people. We were encouraged that the UK recently raised the situation in Rakhine at the UN Security Council.

The immediate priority is to make sure food and medical assistance can be provided to displaced civilians from all communities. The British Government is also urging the Government of Burma to address the underlying issues in Rakhine. We share the Foreign Secretary's hope that Aung San Suu Kyi can use all her remarkable qualities to unite her country, to stop the violence and to end the prejudice that afflicts both Muslims and other communities in Rakhine. She cannot do this without the support of the Burmese military, and it is vital that her attempts at peace-making are not frustrated.

The UK has long been one of the biggest supporters of Burma, including in Rakhine State. Since 2012, the UK has provided over £30 million in humanitarian assistance, including food and sanitation for over 126,000 people.

We are pleased that the UN has been clear that humanitarian agencies must be granted unfettered and free access to affected communities in need of assistance and protection.

Thank you again for taking the time to get in contact.

Yours,

Kayli

Chairman’s Correspondence Secretary

Conservative Campaign Headquarters

Sent: Tuesday, 12 September 2017, 12:51
Subject: Re: Please stop the genocide against Rohingyas in Myanmar - letter to the PM

What a terrible disappointment Aung San Suu Kyi turned out to be from the time of the election onwards and now she is watching genocide and ethnic cleansing.

With very best regards,

Tony

Professor Tony Booth

Faculty of Education,

University of Cambridge,

184 Hills Road,

Cambridge CB2 8PQ, UK.

Subject: I cried seeing this :

https://www.facebook.com/1355026367/videos/10214268259684468/

Dear Dr.Hsanat Husain Bhai,

Thank you so much for your mail and kind concern for the pathetically displaced Rohingya people.

I am already in Bangladesh and their condition indeed is heartbreaking.

For your kind information, I have already arranged for Relief Materials worth more than BDT 1 CRORE in my personal capacity on behalf of AL HARAMAIN HOSPITAL PVT LTD.

Kindly see the attachments.

And, again I will be visiting the Rohingya Camps on 27th of this month and planning to extend my helping hands to the best of my ability to provide them with maximum possible relief.

Thanking you for your deep concern on the cruelties being meted out to them.

Let us pray for their well-being and for a settled life permanently.

Thanks & Best regards,

MOHAMMED MAHTABUR RAHMAN (NASIR)

CIP (NRB) 2012,2013,2014,2015

Chairman & Managing Director

Al Haramain Perfumes Group of Companies

Mob : +971 50 1555 999 / +971 50 55 60 600
Tel : +971 6 7480 555Email : mrahman@alharamainperfumes. com
Web : www.alharamainperfumes.com

UN Secretary General António Guterres

Secretary-General

760 United Nations Plaza

United Nations

New York, NY 10017, USA

13 September 2017

Sir,

Sub. : Please stop the genocide against Rohingyas in Myanmar

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned this as 'text book example of ethnic cleansing'

Aung San Suu Kyi has not said a word so far, a stance that has been denounced by many governments including the UN but unfortunately, not ours. Her silence has only emboldened Myanmar’s militants and security forces in their relentless, seemingly state-sanctioned genocide of the Rohingyas.

We demand that the Myanmar Government put an immediate end to this indiscriminate killing, torture and forceful deportation of Rohingyas from their country.

We also demand that the USA and other western Governments remind Bangladesh Government to fulfil its international and human rights obligations by not pushing these Rohingyas back to their death traps in Myanmar.

We also call upon the UN to provide humanitarian aid to the refugees streaming into Bangladesh "and distribute this aid to these Rohingyas in dire distress through international NGOs, and, to sponsor and enforce a Resolution in the UN Security Council to immediately stop the genocide of Rohingyas.

With best regards.

Dr. Hasanat Husain MBE

On behalf of:

1. Coalition for Human Rights and Democracy in Bangladesh and,

2. Voice For Justice World Forum (www.voiceforjustice.org)

Subject: House of Lords : Written answer to question concerning the position of the Rohingyas

From: "CARLILE OF BERRIEW, Lord" <.......@parliament.uk>
To: Hasanat Husain <dr.hasanathusain@yahoo.co.uk>

Sent: Thursday, 21 September 2017, 17:47
Subject: House of Lords : Written answer to question concerning the position of the Rohingyas :

QWA HL1241 received from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Dear Dr Husain

Please find below the Parliamentary written answer I received today from the Minister Lord Ahmad.

There has been substantial activity on the issue, and I think the UK position is clear and very critical of Myanmar.

Kind regards

Alex Carlile

Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE QC

House of Lords

London SW1A 0PW

Email: ......@parliament.uk

From: Written Parliamentary Questions and Answers <NO_REPLY.HL.QASYSTEM@parliament.uk>
Date: Thursday, 21 September 2017 at 16:32
To: Alex Carlile <carlilea@parliament.uk>

Subject: Written answer to your QWA HL1241 received from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL1241):

Question:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to make representations to the government of Myanmar concerning the position of the Rohingyas, in particular their personal and group rights. (HL1241)

Tabled on: 05 September 2017

Answer:

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:

The British Government is deeply concerned by the situation in Rakhine and discrimination against the Muslim minority Rohingya population. Following the recent outbreak of violence in Rakhine State the Foreign Secretary has twice spoken with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and has raised our concerns. Our ambassador in Rangoon has also raised our concerns with the Burmese authorities. The Minister of State for International Development (Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP) visited Burma in July. He discussed the situation in Rakhine State with the Burmese Ministers of Health and Education and met Rohingya leaders. We will continue to raise our concerns at every opportunity.

We are also urging the Government of Burma to improve living conditions and to address the citizenship status of the Rohingya and all communities in Burma, particularly those who face severe discrimination.

Date and time of answer: 21 Sep 2017 at 16:31.

47.