EU and partners express concern over rising violence in western Burma
May 24. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The United Nations has warned this Friday that some 45,000 Rohingya have had to move in recent days towards the border with Bangladesh, in the Burmese state of Rakhine, due to the intensification of clashes between the Army and rebel groups in the municipalities of Buthidaung. and Maungdaw, in the west of the country.
The spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, Liz Throssell, has indicated in a statement that there are “terrifying and disturbing” reports, based on evidence collected in the north of Rakhine state, that show the effects of the armed conflict that is going on. the country on the “lives and property” of civilians in the area, which has a large population of the Rohingya Muslim minority.
More than a million Rohingya are already in Bangladesh, fleeing previous purges, as denounced by Throssell, who has asked the authorities of Bangladesh and other countries in the area to “provide effective protection to those seeking help in accordance with International Law”.
In this sense, he has urged to guarantee “international solidarity” with Bangladesh in relation to the reception of Rohingya refugees after the testimonies collected point to the burning of the properties of thousands of people.
“One survivor has described seeing dozens of bodies while fleeing the region. Another has said he was part of a group of displaced people who were blocked by the Arakan Army (AA) on the road linking Buthidaung with the town of Maungdaw.” , states the document, which suggests that the rebels themselves had committed abuses in the area. According to the UN, the Rohingya who are in these areas have been describing their flight for weeks and denouncing the lack of food for their families.
Thus, they have denounced that the forces of the military junta that has governed the country since the coup d’état in February 2021 are also attacking civilians. “For years, the military has targeted the Rohingya and actively enforced draconian and discriminatory restrictions that affect every aspect of their lives,” Throssell said.
The UN has called for an end to the violence as soon as possible and to “protect all civilians without any distinction based on identity.” “The rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid must be allowed, and all parties must comply fully and unconditionally with international law, including measures already ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the protection of the Rohingya,” he said. pointed out.
THE EU EXPRESSES ITS CONCERN ABOUT THE INCREASE IN VIOLENCE
This same Friday, the European Union, together with the United States, Australia, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, have shown their “deep concern” about the increase in violence in Burma and, particularly, by the “increasing harm to civilians, which is causing a worsening of the already devastating humanitarian crisis.”
In a joint statement, they stressed that since the coup d’état the number of people with humanitarian needs has increased from one million to 18.6 million. In addition, they have warned that there is “credible information of violations and abuses committed against the civilian population, such as air attacks against homes, schools, places of worship and hospitals,” among other infrastructure.
That is why they have warned that as the conflict worsens “communities throughout Burma are subject to new displacement.” “The military regime is systematically restricting access to life-saving humanitarian aid. We are concerned about the growing shortages of water and food and the widespread denial of access to health care, medicines and vital humanitarian services,” they said.
“The continued blockade of roads and telecommunications in conflict zones is making it difficult to deliver humanitarian aid and access to information,” they maintained before emphasizing that more than a thousand civilians died or were maimed due to the mine explosion in 2023.
On the other hand, they have denounced that “an increasing number of people are victims of trafficking and held against their will”, while urging the warring parties to “ensure that priority is given to the protection of civilians.” . “We are deeply concerned by the military regime’s implementation of the 2010 conscription law, which is increasing the number of displaced people. This measure continues to attempt to divide communities and fuel identity-based violence across Myanmar,” they lamented. .
The document emphasizes the importance of “accountability for all atrocities in Burma” and “welcomes” UN Security Council resolution 2669 on the situation in Burma, which calls for ” immediate end to all forms of violence.”
Finally, they have called for the release of “all arbitrarily detained people” to “fully” implement the five-point consensus agreed by the Association of Southeast Asian States (ASEAN) in the form of a ‘road map’ to promote dialogue between the opposing parties in the country and achieve the reestablishment of democracy.
“We continue to strongly support all those who have committed to working peacefully for an inclusive, non-violent and democratic future for the people of Burma,” they concluded.
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