Unabated persecution of Rohingyas

In the latest statement by the United Nations, the world body has castigated the Myanmar government, particularly its leader Suu Kyi for hiding behind subterfuge and helping perpetuate the regime of persecution on the Rohingya minority. What one gets to know of the horrendous goings-on in Rakhine State are from reports trickling down from refugees fleeing the oppression because no foreign media or UN agencies are allowed in that area. 

It is shocking to see the world community doing nothing __more than issuing statements on the issue when what is needed is concrete and substantive action that would persuade the regime in Naypyidaw that ethnic cleansing of a religious minority shall not go unpunished, that a political solution is indispensable to resolve the matter that has been exacerbated by Myanmar's policy of excluding and disenfranchising the Rohingyas.

Contrary to what Suu Kyi says, the situation is not under control, and her saying so despite the reality on ground is rather shocking. On the other hand, José Ramos-Horta, former Timorese president, Nobel laureate, and special UN envoy, sees in the situation in Rakhine the hallmarks of past tragedies like that of Bosnia, Darfur, Kosovo and Rwanda.

Suu Kyi's position on the issue is an encouragement to the military to carry on with the rape, plunder and torture of the Rohingyas. Setting up a commission under a military man is merely a ploy on her part to bide her time and skirt the issue. Enough words have been dispensed. The international community must bring to bear on the Myanmar regime direct pressure to compel it to desist from the violence it is perpetrating on the Rohingyas.