By Aroosa Hafeez

After a short span of democracy in Myanmar, on February 1^st, 2020, Myanmar junta retook control of the country, undermining the hopes of democratic process and sending the country back into dark past. Myanmar has long suffered military rule after its independence. Despite the landslide victory of National League for Democracy (NLD) in elections 2020, which is led by Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar witnessed another military coup. Military took power just a day before the Parliament of Myanmar was due to take oath. Myanmar’s junta declared a yearlong state of emergency and handed over the power to Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Mn Aung Hlaing. The military coup angered citizens which leaded to anti-coup demonstrations in the country. Military responded with brutality towards these demonstrations. Moreover, military detained Aung San Suu Kyi along with President Win Myint and other political leaders were also arrested in a series of raids.

Many of the countries condemned February 1^st coup in Myanmar and demanded junta to free all the arrested political leaders; however, none of the country took any immediate action and half-heartedly supported opposition of democracy by Myanmar’s military. Later on the US along with the EU announced sanctions, naming military officials for undermining democratic process in the country. The United Nations secretary general António Guterres also condemned the coup and said these developments “represent a serious blow to democratic reforms in Myanmar.”

Meanwhile, on the other hand the fate of the most persecuted minority in the world Rohingyas also lies in the hands of Myanmar’s military. Rohingya, who are ethnic Muslim minority in a predominantly Buddhist country have been facing discrimination, violence and exclusion from citizenship law, most of which have moved to Bangladesh and many other nearby countries. The government of Aung San Suu Kyi along with military did a “clearance operation” in Rakhine State in 2017 in which Rohingyas suffered the most. Estimated 3.5 million Rohingya’s are dispersed worldwide. Myanmar government continued to defy international calls to investigate the human rights violations and genocide of Rohingya’s. The United Nations-mandated Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) found enough evidence regarding genocide, humanity crimes and ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims but the Myanmar’s government has repeatedly refused to cooperate.

Recently, on June 18^th, Friday, UNGA adopted a resolution on the “Situation in Myanmar”.  The resolution got 119 votes in favor, one against whereas 36 countries abstained including Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Thailand, China, Russia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. The resolution was initiated by a core group of member States including the US, EU, UK, and Canada among others. Albeit, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement “We cannot live in a world where military coups become a norm,” the European Union wants “swift return to democracy in Myanmar.” One wonders why there is outside pressure when there is requirement to uphold the constitution and rule of law.

Bangladesh, which has abstained from voting on the UN resolution on the situation in Myanmar following a coup, has expressed “deep disappointment” because the resolution has failed to address the plight of the Rohingya. According to a press release issued by Bangladesh said, “the UNGA resolution failed to adequately reflect on the Rohingya crisis and recommend any actions to resolve that crisis,” It said that neither does the resolution recognize or stress the need for creating a conducive environment in Rakhine for the safe, sustainable and dignified return. The resolution also lacks determination to address root causes of the Rohingya crisis through collective means.

Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima expressed dismay at the resolution in her explanation of vote, in which she said, fell short of expectations and would be sending a wrong message. She added that the failure of the international community in addressing the crisis creates a “sense of impunity” in Myanmar. According to the UN refugee agency, more than hundred thousand Rohingya refugees are in Bangladesh and most are living in crowded camps in Cox’s Bazar district, which is now home to world largest refugee camp.

Democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi has given increased power to Junta, which resulted in operations against Rohingya’s that displaced more than 18,000 minorities Rohingya. The genocide of Muslim Rohingya, hate crimes and atrocities against them were on peak but the global response to the Rohingya crisis has been insufficient, impotent and has been lacking from years. The Nobel Laureate and her government kept on denying the facts. Numerous calls for Aung San Suu Kyi to return her Nobel Peace Prize were merely symbolic. Western countries were apparently condemning Myanmar’s actions but there strategic interests did not allow them to decide of an effective response.

Today, none of the world super powers or the permanent members of United Nation are willing to go further than just providing humanitarian aid. World powers are unwilling and hesitant to take any action against Myanmar’s military and government. Earlier, Myanmar’s first democratically elected government and now military have just increased fear of alienation among Muslim minority Rohingya’s. Merely, condemnations alone are not enough; there is a need for international community to adopt a policy of supporting Rohingyas and taking on effective response because justice delayed is justice denied.