AFD international welcomes the un fact finding mission of Myanmar which published its report today and found that there is a clear chain of command which had “genocidal intent “ against the minority Rohingya Muslims in the state of Rakhine. We, in AFD International welcome the call for top army officials to be tried and prosecuted for crimes of war, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Over 700,000 Rohingya are still living in appalling and dangerous conditions in camps in the neighbouring country of Bangladesh. Restoration of justice and legal accountability over crimes that shocked the world and the entire conscious of humanity would send a clear message to the perpetrators that degradation and ill treatment of minorities cannot go unpunished.
The report shed some lights on some disturbing, horrific and despicable crimes against the most vulnerable people of the Rakhine community. The report described some of the abominable crimes which was carried out against children by stating: “Children were subjected to, and witnessed, serious human rights violations including killing, maiming and sexual violence. Children were killed in front of their parents, and young girls were targeted for sexual violence. Children were subjected to, and witnessed, serious human rights violations including killing, maiming and sexual violence.”
The prosecution through any of the UN mechanism would be a way forward to establish justice and some hope for the victims.
AFD International
Asia and the Pacific Department
27/08/2018