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WHERE HAVE ALL THE TEACHINGS GONE?
August 17, 2012
Teachings of Buddha have seen one of their worst implementation and mockery at the hands of so called proponents of peace, love, tranquility, purity of mind and respect to relationship in the shape of sleazy oppression, ethnic cleansing and horrible massacre of innocent Rohingya Muslims in Buddhist majority Myanmar. The lessons taught by Bhuddha, who left comfort to become a wandering ascetic, spending decades in isolation, starving to the last and eventually attaining enlightenment, seem to have been brutally trampled underneath the very polluted mindset of a group of so-called followers of Bhuddism.
The state of Myanmar formerly known as Burma is a home of oppression, crimes against humanity and genocide. Forty three years of tyranny of military junta, ethnicity, mass rape of women, state executions and forced recruitment in army are only a few examples on the long list of human rights violations in the country. Despite certain democratic reforms in last two-three years, ethnic minorities continue to suffer badly. The Rohingya are a Muslim minority settled in Western Myanmar. They have been subjected to severe discrimination by the military regime and have consistently been denied legal recognition as an ethnic minority group. The Rohingya Muslims have been settled in the area for centuries, but are still considered to be aliens. They are about 750,000 in number and form 1/3 of the population of Rakhine state. Not being legally recognized, they are not entitled to fundamental human rights and freedoms, hence, facing repeated human rights violations.
All this is being done under the watch full eyes of the so-called champions and guardians of human rights for long. They have been enduring years of sufferings and privation, barred from government employment, denied land and property rights, no travel passports, forced labor, marriage restrictions, extortion, denial of health and educational facilities, food, medicine and citizenship rights and now widespread murder of innocent people. If at all these crimes against humanity have failed to attract the attention of the world, than every other minority anywhere under the sun should wait for its turn.
The recent episode of indiscriminate mass killings of Muslims in Myanmar is the worst ever and most pathetic of the events that has happened with South Asia’s most oppressed minority. The hell has been let loose on innocent and helpless children, women and men. Beheaded, burnt, crushed and badly lacerated bodies of Rohingya Muslims by the preachers of Buddhist tradition and subsequent silence and apathy of world powers, international organizations and Muslim Ummah over these tragic, heart touching and moving scenes warrant strict condemnation at every level. Purposeful failure of international community to hit back aggressively on Myanmar government on ruthless persecution of the Muslim ethnic minority is an eye opener for the whole Muslim world. More than 40,000 Muslims, including women and children, have so far been brutally killed, murdered and burnt alive. No respite, help and support is coming their way from any quarter, nor is any neighboring country ready to accept them and grant refugee status. The Muslim hunting process began by security forces of Myanmar is continuing with no ending in sight. There has been no proper media coverage and desired aid from United Nations and other organizations so far to alleviate the Muslim community in Myanmar. For how long will they be left at the mercy of Myanmar government and military elite? World must avoid their extinction in this criminal way and rise to the occasion to save them from inhuman treatment and secure a reasonable status and respectable place for them in the country.
Following immediate steps are needed to end this grisly game of pain, grief, sorrow and misery:-
• United Nations Organization should immediately take necessary measures to stop the genocide and force Myanmar Government to pass appropriate legislation extending civic guarantees with all rights of citizens to the oppressed Rohingya minority.
• UN must secure all rights for them as guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• UN should take serious notice of human rights violations in the area and bring penal clauses into action.
• International assistance should be ensured and measures to re-settle displaced persons be adopted.
• World should voice its anger at this mass slaughter instead of watching the agony of the people as a silent spectator.
• Organization of the Islamic Conference should play its role in bringing an end to sufferings in Myanmar and a convention be held to underline measures to stop such heinous acts against humanity anywhere in the world.
• Bangladesh Government must show some sympathy towards people seeking refuge in this neighboring country.
• Amnesty International should move and urge for an in-depth probe/enquiry into this necked slaughter of innocent Muslims at the highest relevant forum.
• Civil society should come to the rescue of oppressed Muslims of Myanmar.
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