Asean needs to act on the problems the Rohingya face

THERE is no doubt that Malaysia continues to be the preferred destination for the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fleeing persecution from the oppressive Myanmar military regime. And it cannot be disputed that our nation can only do the best it can to support those seeking refuge in our country.

But when we cage people, and in the process strip them of their self-respect and dignity just on account of their flight from suppression in their country of origin, we need to wonder whether we have lost our humanity in the circumstances.

Millions of people have sought asylum as a result of upheavals arising from armed conflicts, acts of genocide, or geopolitical voyeurism. In my view, at least in the Asean context, there is an urgent need to address the predicament of the Rohingya.

For too long Asean has functioned as a toothless collective in addressing blatant abuses of fundamental human rights perpetuated by the illegal Myanmar regime against the Rohingya. They are treated as persona non grata in their country and are persecuted for their ethnicity, yet the plight of the Rohingya has not elicited a cohesive reaction from Asean nations except for “window dressing” diplomatic representation.

In the circumstances it is my view that Asean has an obligation to demand that the Myanmar regime stops its systemic persecution of the Rohingya. Asean ought to also demand that, for Myanmar to reap the benefits of the Asean economic partnership, it must stop its inhumane treatment of its ethnic peoples.

Granted that Asean has a policy of noninterference with the sovereignty of its member states, it, nevertheless, cannot stand on the sidelines and put on blinkers when fundamental human rights are being trampled. Asean has a choice: continue to ignore atrocities against the Rohingya or embark on a course of action against the Myanmar regime to liberate the Rohingya from their predicament.

K. VEERIAH

Bukit Mertajam

Penang