THE recent surge in violent attacks on Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar is highly despicable and amounts to crime against humanity. Diplomatic pressure is being mounted by states to alleviate the sufferings of the most persecuted minority of the world as declared by the UN.

Meanwhile, it needs to be understood that some matters are still unsettled even in post-modern society. Be it the ethnic or religious minority issue, universal definition of terrorism, civil wars, blur boundary of human rights and national security, role of religion in affairs of the state, etc.

In Pakistan, our own track record of treatment of minorities is by no means an exemplary one. The unabated persecution of religious minorities, ordeal of women and liberal intellectuals are not seen mitigating in foreseeable future. In our neighbourhood, the Shia regime of Iran and war-ravaged Afghanistan, dissenting voices are crushed in a horrendous manner.

The constitution enacted in Myanmar deprives Rohingyas of nationality and basic human rights, including the right to mobility. Man-made constitutions are amenable to changes and must be changed to be more inclusive. This will lessen social tensions.

On our part, the Foreign Office is the only platform from where the apprehensions can be expressed. The overzealous attempts of calling for jihad and sending militants abroad have further deteriorated the situation and will weaken the stance of the indigenous people of Myanmar.

Fazal Haider

Lahore

(2)

MYANMAR is a sovereign state in Southeast Asia where human rights are being violated by the government. Homes are being burnt, children are being killed but no one is ready to stop the killing of these Muslims.

Human rights bodies should take notice of the situation and move, with all resources at their command, to stem and stop killings of Muslims. Also, Pakistan must take some action to protect the rights of Rohingyas.

Adnan Dost

Kech

(3)

IN Myanmar Buddhist extremists and soldiers are killing Rohingya Muslims. So far they have been able to kill almost 20,000 Muslims, burn 30,000 houses, force 90,000 to flee to Bangladesh which too has closed the boarder while many Muslims were forced to drown in the river .

The shameful act of Buddhist extremists against Rohingya Muslims is a question mark for the Muslim world. I request international organisations like the UN Council, OIC and other organisations to play their role and stop the killing of Rohingya Muslims at once and take a stern action against Buddhist extremists and the Myanmar authorities.

Most importantly it’s time Rohingya Muslims, who have been living in Myanmar for 600 years, were recognised as bona fide citizens.

Inam kakar

Zhob

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2017