Rohingyas under “Threat Of Genocide”, Says UN Report

Guwahati, September 17, 2019:

A United Nations (UN) fact-finding mission stated that hundreds of Rohingya Muslims who are in Myanmar face systematic persecution and are living under the threat of genocide.

Reportedly, Myanmar security forces are accused of killings, gang rapes, and arson during a crackdown in August 2017 that led to the migration of over 7 lakh people to flee Rakhine State for neighbouring Bangladesh.

However, Myanmar has dismissed the report by the UN-appointed panel and refuted to the allegations. The report stated, “Military personnel carried out a campaign against the

Rohingya with ‘genocidal intent’ and should stand trial.”

It also stated, “The threat of genocide is continuing for the remaining Rohingya.”

The report further said that nearly 6 lakh Rohingya are living in “deplorable” conditions in the Rakhine State which is subject to restrictions on movement causing a threat to their lives.

“These facts underscore the impossibility of return for the nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees, mostly in Bangladesh,” it added.

On the other hand, Myanmar has rejected the fact-finding mission during its formation in March 2017. It was formed with a mandate to investigate military abuses against the Rohingya.

However, the new report accuses security forces of the “torture and ill-treatment” of suspected insurgents in northern Myanmar. It further said, “Sexual and gender-based violence by the Myanmar military “remains a prominent feature of conflicts in Shan and Kachin states”.

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