Government of Bangladesh is currently under fire for reportedly blocking charitable organizations that offer humanitarian assistance to Rohingya.
The Rohingya is an ethnic group that has faced persecution, discrimination and violence in Burma.
Reports say the Government of Bangladesh ordered the organizations to halt all delivery of humanitarian services particularly health care and food provision to Rohingya.
Bangladesh halted the delivery of the sevices from non-governmental organizations under the notion that such aid will encourage more Rohingya to seek refuge inBangladesh.
Today at DC, Acting Deputy Spokesperson Patrick Ventrell
says the United States is deeply concerned by the Government of Bangladesh’s stated intent to shut down nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that have been providing critical humanitarian aid to Rohingya residing in Bangladesh.
The US government urges the Government of Bangladesh to permit these NGOs to continue providing humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya, other vulnerable individuals fleeing the violence in Burma’s Rakhine State, and the local Bangladeshi population in the Bangladesh-Burma border region.
According to Mr. Ventrell, the United States ise continuing to monitor ethnic and sectarian tensions in Burma’s Rakhine State and continue to call for restraint, an end to violence, and the upholding of principles of nondiscrimination, tolerance, and religious freedom.
“We have consistently urged the Burmese Government to reach a peaceful resolution as soon as possible and to bring those responsible for the violence to justice in a timely manner and in accordance with due process.” -Mr. Ventrell
In June this year, ethnic and sectarian violence hit western Myanmar leading to violent riots among Muslims and Buddhists.
Reports say Burmese army troops were deployed to Rakhine State to halt the escalation of violence.
The situation in Rakhine State is reportedly very critical and unstable.
Unrest raged after security forces reportedly opened fire on Rohingyas and several of them were killed.
Amid the violence, the Burmese Government announced a State of Emergency and curfews in Rakhine State, but reports of violence continue.
The international community also called on authorities to work with local leaders, together with Muslim, Buddhist, and ethnic representatives, including Rohingya, to halt the on-going violence.
In April this year, following the formation of a new government in March 2011, Burma made remarkable progress in political, economic, and social development, and national reconciliation.
In Rakhine State, systematic discrimination and denial of human rights against ethnic Rohingya remains deplorable.
The election of Aung San Suu Kyi and 42 other NLD members is the most recent and dramatic example of the political opening underway in Burma.
Recently, the Burmese government released over 500 political prisoners in October 2011 and January 2012 amnesties.
The Burmese government has also made progress toward preliminary ceasefire agreements with several ethnic armed groups including the Chin National Front (January 2012), the New Mon State Party (February 2012), the United Wa State Army (September 2011), and the Shan State Army-North (January 2012), Mr. Campbell reported.
For the first time in 63 years, the Burmese government and the Karen National Union (KNU) entered into a preliminary ceasefire agreement in January 2012, and began follow-up peace discussions the week of April 4 on a host of political issues at the heart of Burma’s longest running internal conflict.
The Burmese government is proceeding with a strong program of economic reforms. After decades of mismanagement, Burma has become the poorest country in Southeast Asia, with approximately one-third of its population living in poverty.
In 2011, the United States carefully responded to evidence of change in Burma with increased outreach and concrete actions. Important steps were taken on the assistance front, with recent announcements of new activities for microfinance and health, particularly in ethnic minority areas, based on US consultations with civil society in Burma.
The United States has serious and continuing concerns with respect to human rights, democracy, and nonproliferation, and the policy continues to blend both pressure and engagement to encourage progress in all areas. They are especially concerned by serious human rights violations against the ethnic minority Rohingya people, who are denied citizenship and human rights, such as freedom of movement and freedom to marry, among other rights all people should be able to exercise.
As Burma pursues the road for reform, development and democracy, the United States of America expressed commitment to support Burma’s democratic reforms.
The US government has pursued a policy of engagement to support human rights and reform in Burma.
The United States maintains extensive, targeted sanctions against the Burmese regime. Sanctions is also targeted against senior leaders of the Burmese government and military, their immediate family members, their key supporters, and others who abuse human rights.
The Obama Administration continues to show commitment to promote democracy and human rights in Burma and on key recent developments in Burma, including the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, the 2010 elections, and the formation of a government headed by former top regime general and now President Thein Sein.
The United States is currently pursuing parallel and complementary tracks in a full-scale effort to advance progress on core concerns of the international community, including the unconditional release of all political prisoners, respect for human rights, and an inclusive dialogue with the political opposition and ethnic groups that would lead to national reconciliation.
