Atrocities Against Rohingya Muslims

Published: 12 October 2017

The Town Council has sent the following letter to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson:

Atrocities against Rohingya Muslims

At the full council meeting of Nelson Town Council on 11th October 2017, a motion was passed to urge the British government to review its current approach in dealing with the reported human rights violations and indiscriminate killing of Rohingya Muslims.

Estimates suggest between 2,000-3,000 have been killed and over 400,000 others trapped in conflict areas. Eye witnesses have described civilians being shot indiscriminately, beheadings, rape, rounding people up into buildings which are then set fire to, and deliberate shooting of children.

It is further alleged from reports that the military has committed forced deportation, murder, rape, and persecution against Rohingya Muslims in northern Rakhine State.

The Government along with the United Nations Security Council and concerned countries should urgently impose targeted sanctions and an arms embargo on the Burmese government and military to stop further crimes against humanity. The Security Council should demand that Burma allow aid agencies access to people in need, permit entry to a UN fact-finding mission to investigate abuses, and ensure the safe and voluntary return of those displaced.

We urge the government to also discuss measures to bring those responsible for crimes against humanity to justice, including, before the International Criminal Court.

Nelson Town Council urges you to do more in achieving the objectives set out above and we look forward to receiving your report on the current and future plan of action.
Yours sincerely

Councillor Zafar Ali
Chairman Steve Watson
Nelson Town Council Town Clerk