Unrest in Myanmar

Rohingya Muslims and Buddhists:

Ø Rohingya have lived in Myanmar for decades, they are largely viewed domestically as land-hungry intruders who came illegally from neighboring Bangladesh.

Ø Earlier Military regime excluded them from 135 ethnicities in 1984 , denying them the rights of citizenship and other rights

Ø The Burmese government classifies the Rohingya as "immigrants" to Burma, and thus not eligible for citizenship.

Why Govt. should Act?

Ø Myanmar is an emerging country; hence the reputation of the country is on the stake.

Ø To facilitate the large flow of foreign capital into the country for development

Ø Myanmar heading towards democracy, trade partnership with neighboring countries.

Ø To ensure law and order in the country

Reactions- Domestic:

·       National League for Democracy – The NLD appealed to the rioters to stop

·       88 Generation Students Group – 88 Generation Students leaders called the riots "acts of terrorism" and acts that have "nothing to do with Islam, Buddhism, nor any other religion

·       All Myanmar Islam Association – All Myanmar Islam Association, the largest Islam association in Myanmar, condemned the "terrorizing and destruction of lives and property of innocent people", declaring that "the perpetrators must be held accountable by law

·       In August 2012 President Thein Sein announced the establishment of a 27-member commission to investigate the violence

Reaction: International:

·       Bangladesh – Bangladesh, which borders Burma, increased border security in response to the riots. Numerous boat refugees were turned aside by the Border Guard

·       Iran – Members of Iranian society condemned the attacks and called on other Muslim states to take a "firm stance" against the violence; protests also took place in Iran

·       Pakistan – Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Moazzam Ali Khan said during a weekly news briefing: "we are concerned about the situation, but there are reports that things have improved there." He added that Pakistan hoped Burmese authorities would exercise necessary steps to bring the situation back to control

·       Saudi Arabia – The Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia says that it "condemns the ethnic cleansing campaign and brutal attacks against Myanmar's Muslim Rohingya citizens" and it urged the international community to protect "Muslims in Myanmar".[53] King Abdullah ordered $50 million of aid sent to the Rohingyas, in Saudi Arabia's capacity as a "guardian of global Muslim interests

·       United Kingdom – Foreign Office minister Jeremy Browne told reporters that he was 'deeply concerned' by the situation and that the UK and other countries would continue to watch developments closely

·       United States – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday called for "all parties to exercise restraint", adding that "the United States continues to be deeply concerned" about the situation

·       Organization of Islamic Cooperation – On 15 August, a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned Myanma authorities for the "violence" against Rohingyas and the denial of the group's citizenship, and vowed to bring the issue to the United Nations General Assembly