Rohingya issue receives greater focus - but much needs to be done

Former US President Bill Clinton is the last important international figure to visit the South-East Asian nation Myanmar when he made a surprise visit to the country on November 14 and called upon all concerned for cessation of the sectarian violence. His visit coincided with the three-day visit of a high powered European delegation led by its foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, which also expressed concern over the issue. No less important is the visit of an Islamic delegation headed by the Secretary General of the organisation of Islamic conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. All these have brought the issue once again to the fore in search of a solution to the crisis, i.e., an end to the repression of the minority Rohingyas in Myanmar.
Earlier, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon warned Myanmar that it must stop attacks on minority Muslims if the South-East Asian nation wants to be seen as a credible nation. He urged the Yangoon government for necessary measures to address the legitimate grievances of the Muslims. What had been particularly noteworthy in the statement of the UN Chief is that he has stressed on the need for responding to the demands of the Rohingyas for citizenship. The plight of the Rohingyas, no doubt, received greater attention following the concern expressed by the UN Secretary General, although not much has so far been done to resolve the problem.
The issue did receive greater focus in the international arena following the visit of the US President to Myanmar late last year when he discussed the subject among other matters with the Myanmar authorities. It was expected that Myanmar would take care that its people are not subjected to undue harassment and coerced to leave their country.
Even though the Rohingya issue is not a new phenomenon and remains a vexed one -- that also involves Bangladesh - the UN Chief's remarks about the Rohingyas gave a new dimension to the problem that should help these people overcome their terrible plight. However, the issue has many dimensions and what is really needed now for a settlement of the crisis is unrelenting effort towards ensuring peace and stability for these minorities. And to make it happen, concerned quarters should work in concert in a bid to prevent the situation from further snowballing, although it is essentially a domestic affair of Myanmar. The international community, which has not alienated itself from the matter because of its grave repercussions transcending Myanmar's borders, is required to remain conscious so that a community - categorised by the United Nations as "persecuted" can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
President Obama visited three South-East Asian nations - Thailand, Myanmar and Combodia and undeniably the focus was more on the visit to Myanmar. Here is a country which is admirably coming out of its isolationist policy and slowly opening up towards pluralistic society much to the commendation of the West and the democratic world at large. Although the present rulers represent only a semblance of democratic rule with real power lying with the military, Myanmar's recent record in reforming the society is praiseworthy. President Obama's visit to the country culminated a phase that had begun with the visits of several foreign dignitaries to Myanmar including the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton which marked a watershed in contemporary global scenario.
It may be recalled that the repression of the Rohingya Muslims by the Myanmar authorities has come in for criticisms even from fellow South-East Asian neighbours - let alone many democratic and Islamic countries. Bangladesh, as a close neighbour of Myanmar, has given shelter to many fleeing Rohingyas in the past, but could not take further burden. This raised some controversy both at home and outside. While many feel that Bangladesh is no longer in a position to carry further load in the form of accommodating mass exodus, an impression also exists that humanitarian side should not be totally ignored. While the government defends its policy, critics say that authorities have been too stringent on these refugees. Without joining the debate, one can conclude that the issue remains linked- if not inextricably, at least peripherally-- with Bangladesh's interest and Dhaka to remain alert and not turn a blind eye. This is particularly important because in Myanmar, neither the government nor the opposition has demonstrated any interest to address the matter with pragmatism. Lately, however, some tiny blips may be discerned in the attitude of the Myanmar government in its moves against the perpetrators of crimes. But how far will that help resolve the crisis remains a big question.
The bottom line is that the Rohingyas need better treatment and that is what president Obama underlined, saying they deserve dignity and humane touch. Several incidents of violence took place against the Rohingyas in recent months resulting in the exodus of more of these people to other countries including Indonesia and Thailand. Thousands left their homes for safer places within Myanmar.
In 1982, Myanmar passed a citizenship law recognising eight races and 130 minority groups, but omitted around one million Rohingyas from the country's 60 million people. This is clearly unfair and the emphasis by the UN chief on their citizenship issue should assume particular importance.
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