The
three-phase Chinese proposal for ending the crisis merits serious consideration.
By K.
S. Venkatachalam* | The Diplomat
The
Rohingya crisis is one of the worst humanitarian crises witnesses of our times.
It is estimated, that over 800,000 Rohingya, mostly Muslims, have fled to
Bangladesh, to escape the brutality unleashed on them by the Myanmar army. The
army campaign has been described by the United Nations as a textbook example of
ethnic cleansing.
Satellite imagery shows near total destruction of 214
villages in Rakhine state since the army’s operation began against the
community. There are chilling stories of elderly people, children, and women
being burned alive when their houses were torched. Advocacy groups have
documentary evidence of rapes, loot, and other inhuman treatment against the
Rohingya. Under sustained international pressure, the army had ordered an
inquiry into the alleged brutalities. As expected, the sham inquiry
absolved the army from any human rights violations.
Meanwhile,
the United States, China, India, and Russia have largely refrained
from condemning the army for persecuting the Muslims is
unconscionable. However, in a welcome development, the Trump
administration recently criticized Myanmar’s government for the
brutal crackdown on Rohingya as an attempt at ethnic cleansing.
On
the heels of the U.S. condemnation, comes a Chinese offer to mediate between
the Myanmar army and the Bangladesh government to end the crisis, and clear the
way for the return of the 600,000 refugees to their homeland.
According
to a three-phase proposal to address the crisis and promote
stability, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has asked Myanmar’s army to restore
order by declaring a ceasefire to stem the flood of refugees. In the second
stage, Wang suggested that both Myanmar and Bangladesh should be encouraged to
talk so as to find a feasible approach to settle the issue; the international
community should play an active role as well. In the third stage, Wang
called upon the international community to help rebuild Rakhine state.
Wang
must be credited from garnering support for this proposal from Myanmar’s de
facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, President Htin Kyaw, and military chief Min Aung
Hlaing, as well as the government of Bangladesh, before unveiling the plan. The
Chinese proposal, if implemented, would pave the way to restoring peace in the
region and rehabilitate all the refugees who had fled to Bangladesh and
other countries.
Although
China’s proposal is laudable, however, there is an apprehension as to whether
the Myanmar army would stick to its side of the agreement or further encourage
a fresh cycle of violence on the returning refugees. As China has steadfastly
refused to condemn Myanmar’s army for its brutality, Beijing’s reaction should
the army violate the ceasefire is uncertain. However, as China has a firm
handle over Myanmar because of its economic support, Beijing could put
pressure on the army to stop further atrocities.
For their
part, Rohingya Muslims should not fall prey to the propaganda unleashed by the
Islamic fundamentalists to exact revenge against the army. Previous terror
strikes against Myanmar’s army have only further exacerbated the
already fragile situation.
The
Chinese proposal needs to be followed through by Myanmar’s army and
civilian government, and Bangladesh to restore peace in the region. As
Myanmar government would require billions of dollars to adequately resettle the
returning refugees, the international community should generously contribute
toward their rehabilitation.
*K.
S. Venkatachalam is an independent columnist and political commentator.
Image
Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ VOA
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