Karen Women’s Organisation (KWO) | September 18, 2017

The Karen Women’s Organization condemns the actions of the Burmese military against Rohingya civilians.

We have seen the devastation caused by this criminal military against our people for many years. In the past year we have continued to see them attack civilians in Shan and Kachin States who are now living in reprehensible conditions in Internally Displaced Camps.

The reports of unspeakable human rights abuses continue as more than 300,000 Rohingya people are forced to flee for their lives even while they watch the torture and death of their friends and family. Other Rakhine state civilians are also being caught in the bloodshed and are being forced to flee due to the actions of the military. This is the story of our nightmares and must be stopped immediately.

It is time for all people of conscience to act.

We call on the People’s Assembly, Pyithu Hluttaw, the House of Nationalities, Amyotha Hluttaw, the State Counselor of Myanmar, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of all ethnic groups to officially condemn the Burmese military actions against the Rohingya. We support the call by the Rakhine Advisory Commission appointed by the Burmese civilian government itself and headed by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, to end restrictions on citizenship and freedom of movement of the Rohingya people. The government must act. The Burmese military should not be allowed to continue with impunity. It is time we all reach agreement for ethnic rights and a system of government that allows us all, including the Rohingya, to live together in peace.

We also call on the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and all other countries who are currently providing military training and cooperation to the Burmese military to immediately halt all cooperation and engagement. They must be treated like the war criminals they are. We also call on those same governments to review their engagement with the civilian Burmese government in light of their inaction as their own people are being targeted by the military. Economic sanctions should be also considered, as well as the shifting of aid from Burmese government projects to assistance for, and in partnership with, the Rohingya community.

Executive Committee Members

Karen Women’s Organization

Download the press statement (PDF) in English here.

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