As Malaysia prepares to chair the upcoming ASEAN Summit in 2025, there are increasing calls for the nation to spearhead efforts in addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, particularly the persecution of the Rohingya people.
Despite the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) provisional measures aimed at their protection, the Rohingya face severe conditions, as highlighted by the President of the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK), Tun Khin. Tun Khin emphasized the need for Malaysia to take decisive action to halt the genocide and extrajudicial killings perpetrated by both the Myanmar military and revolutionary groups, such as the Arakan Army.
At least 2,000 Rohingya have died in the past two months alone, according to Tun Khin, who detailed the precarious situation of 600,000 Rohingya in Rakhine State. The violence is particularly severe in the Buthidaung area, which has a significant Rohingya population. The Arakan Army and the Burmese military trap the Rohingya, subjecting them to forced recruitment and constant threats to their lives and homes.
The call for action extends to the implementation of ASEAN’s five-point consensus (5PC), which was agreed upon in April 2021 but has seen little progress. The consensus includes ending violence, engaging in dialogue, appointing a special envoy, providing humanitarian assistance, and facilitating the envoy’s visit to Myanmar. Despite these measures, Nay San Lwin, co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition, expressed frustration over the lack of tangible results and called for stronger pressure on the Myanmar military.
Lwin emphasized the need for ASEAN to leverage its charter to pressure the Burmese military, highlighting the regional implications of the crisis, including the migration of Rohingya boat people and other migrants. He also stressed the need for ASEAN to change its non-interference policy to allow for accountability and justice for the victims.
The Rohingya crisis continues to be a significant challenge for ASEAN, with the international community looking towards Malaysia’s leadership in the upcoming summit to address the humanitarian catastrophe effectively.
