UK Government must keep up the pressure on the Burmese Government to protect rights of Rohingyas says Rushanara Ali MP

Rushanara Ali MP, Shadow Minister for International Development, has spoken in a Westminster Hall debate to call for an end to the violence and discrimination against the Rohingya community in Burma.

Rushanara said:

“When violence erupted between the Rohingya Muslim and Buddhist Rhakine communities in June this year, atrocious acts of violence and abuse took place. The Burmese Government interceded but they did not simply put an end to the violence. Instead they helped to perpetuate a cycle of sectarian and state-sponsored violence against the Rohingya. There are serious allegations against Burmese forces of killings, torture, rape, mass arrests and forced displacement.“

The Burmese Government needs to allow immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access so this disaster does not become even worse. Rushanara called on the UK Government to lead peace and reconciliation efforts within Burma by challenging the Burmese Government over its actions.

She also drew attention to the treatment of the Rohingya refuguees in Bangladesh saying that the UK as the largest bi-lateral international development donor, should be pushing the Government of Bangladesh to “live up to their moral and legal responsibilities."

The full text of the debate can be accessed on Hansard from 12 September 2012 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cmallfiles/mps/commons_hansard_5735_od.html.