FBSHApost@20 January 2017: Efforts to relieve the predicament of the Rohingya

For the first time, Malaysia reinterpreted non-interference in its FP stance by saying it is not interference if the actions at the domestic level has the spin off effects on other states. This is rightly so when it involves violations of human rights, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity or genocide. 

Malaysia caused Myanmar to call for an ASEAN Retreat in Yangon and on 19th January 2017 Malaysia succeeded in bringing an OIC Emergency meeting on the situation of the Rohingya community. 

The meeting was well attended with forty countries out of 56 member states. It succeeded to highlight the plight of the Rohingya minority. There was consensus on calling Myanmar to stop its military operations in northern Rakhine, free access of humanitarian aids organisations, independent international investigation committee under the UN, the OIC SG to lead a high-powered delegation to visit the affected areas in Myanmar with coordination of ASEAN. 

At least now more and more countries believe that there is crime against humanity and even genocide. Malaysia & the OIC SG can claim credit. The work has just begun.

FBSHApost@20 January 2017