prevent further attacks as for the first time those responsible will fear being held accountable.
Recommendations can also be made to prevent further violence.
2) International observers will improve security situation
Rohingya in Rakhine State are living in constant fear of attack. An increase in international
observers on the ground will help prevent further attacks, and can act as an early warning system
if new violent attacks seem imminent. Their mandate should be widened to include making public
reports.
3) More aid and increased humanitarian access
Although aid access has improved, there is still not enough aid reaching the people internally
displaced by violence. As a result, conditions are dire and unnecessary additional suffering is
caused. There needs to be a significant increase in aid to IDPs, in particular medical assistance.
Humanitarian aid also needs to be increased to Rohingya villagers who are isolated and unable to
leave to trade and buy food because of fear of attack.
4) Stop Hate Speech
Those inciting hatred and violence are well known in Burma, but no action has been taken against
them. President Thein Sein has encouraged those inciting violence. He asked the UN for
assistance in deporting all Rohingya, giving apparent legitimacy to their view that Rohingya don’t
belong in Burma. He also publicly defended the anti-Muslim Monk Wirathu. Pressure must be
placed on the government to take action against those inciting hatred and violence against
Muslims. MPs from the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party, which is linked with
incitement and violence, should be refused visas to the USA and ineligible for international
training and support.
5) Repeal of the 1982 Citizenship Law
The 1982 Citizenship Laws needs to be repealed or revised. It legally underpins much of the
discrimination against the Rohingya. President Thein Sein has repeatedly ruled out changing this
law. No further relaxation of sanctions or closer relations with the government of Burma should
take place until Thein Sein ensures this law is repealed or reformed. In line with the
recommendation of the UN Special Rapporteur on Burma, the new law should be in line with
international human rights standards, and not be race based, and; “ensure that all persons in
Myanmar have equal access to citizenship and are not discriminated in such access on grounds of
ethnicity or religion." The US government should ask the UN Committee on the Rights of the
Child to request from Burma information relevant to the implementation of Article 7 of the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child, relating to the 1982 Citizenship Law, to assess if Burma is
complying with its treaty obligations.
6) Free political prisoners and stop torture
Information gathered by BROUK, and also by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in
Burma, details the widespread use of torture against many of the 1,000 plus Rohingya arrested
since violence began in June 2012. The Special Rapporteur has said that arrests have been
arbitrary and that mass trails which are not fair have taken place. Community leaders appear to
have been targeted for arrest, for example Dr Tun Aung.
7) Reconciliation between Rohingya and Rakhine
Burma’s political leadership has been unwilling to address issues of communal violence, religious
intolerance and hate-speech. We appeal to the US government for advice and support in building
a process in Burma whereby we can build communal understanding and tolerance, and respect for
each other.