Atrocities in Myanmar expose global moral failure to protect Rohingya refugees

      International community must do more to bring an end to on-going violence
​Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Darragh O’Brien TD has said that the upsurge in violence in the Myanmar’s Rakhine state against the Rohingya ethnic minority tell a tale of unspeakable horrors.


Since violence erupted between security forces and the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar on August 25th, thousands of people have been killed, more than 600,000 Rohingya have been forced to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh while hundreds of thousands more remain in the conflict zone.


Deputy O’Brien explained, “Over recent months reports have emerged of appalling crimes against humanity including extrajudicial killing and sexual violence against a population described as the “most persecuted minority” in the world.


This community have been denied citizenship in Myanmar since 1982, which has effectively rendered them stateless.


“Despite global condemnation, the Rohingya people continue to suffer what is becoming widely known as a campaign of ethnic cleansing at the hands of military led clearance operations.


“The crime of genocide can be defined as the deliberate destruction of a community in whole or even in part and there is strong evidence consistent with this in Myanmar.


He added, “Expressing outrage is simply not enough and the European Union, the United Nations and the wider international community must use every legal, political and diplomatic mechanisms at their disposal to protect the Rohingya and bring about an end to this violence.


“When we consider historic events such as the atrocities in Rwanda and Bosnia, we are reminded of what immorality can unfold when the international community fails in its duty to protect innocent civilians.


“One thing is clear; should the international community continue to stand complicit we will continue to fail the destitute and unarmed Rohingya men, women and children.