Malaysia talks tough on Myanmar’s treatment of Rohingya

Malaysia, the most outspoken of Myanmar’s neighbors over its treatment of its Muslim ethnic Rohingya minority, told a meeting of regional foreign ministers Monday of its “grave concern” over the violence allegedly carried out by Myanmar’s military.

In a formal document presented at the meeting called by Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman noted “reports from many sources alleging arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings including of children, rape by soldiers, burning of Rohingya villages as well as destruction of homes and places of worship.”

“It is troubling that these alleged violations occurred in the context of security operations conducted by Government authorities,” the document said. (Courtesy of washingtonpost.com)

Malaysia calls for ASEAN to lead push for end to Rohingya crisis

Malaysia today said the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar was a regional concern and called for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to coordinate humanitarian aid and investigate alleged atrocities committed against them.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman was speaking at a meeting of the 10-nation bloc in Yangon called by Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi after weeks of reports that the army has killed, raped and arbitrarily arrested Rohingya civilians.

Myanmar has denied the accusations, saying many of the reports are fabricated and it insists the strife in Rakhine State, where many Rohingya live, is an internal matter. (Courtesy of thedailystar.net)

Rohingya violence by Burmese army true, Suu Kyi has ‘failed’ – report

A NEW report has emerged confirming that Burmese security forces have raped, killed and burnt down over a thousand homes in a campaign of violence against the Rohingya people.

The report by Amnesty International released Monday says an analysis of survivor accounts and satellite images prove the allegations to be true, despite blanket denials by the Burmese authorities.

It also brands Aung San Suu Kyi a failure, saying her silence so far indicates she is either unwilling or unable to contain the violence. ( Courtesy of asiancorrespondent.com)