Rights group condemns release of Myanmar soldiers

ANKARA

A London-based rights group expressed concerns on Tuesday over the release of Myanmar soldiers who murdered 10 Rohingya Muslims in a 2017 military crackdown in its western Rakhine state.

“The early release of the seven soldiers involved in the Inn Din Massacre against Rohingya civilians again shows its disregard for human rights, truth, and accountability,” said a statement by Kyaw Win, executive director of the Burma Human Rights Network.

"Instead of having these perpetrators punished as an example, their release has proven impunity and is encouraging them to commit such crime again," Win said.

Win added that this release clearly indicates that Burma has no political will to punish the perpetrators despite immense pressure from the international community.

Win also called on the international community to impose targeted sanctions on entities that are linked to the military and military owned businesses.

“Given the severity of Burma’s crimes against the Rohingya and other minorities and their ongoing nature, the international community needs to begin the process of referring Burma’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to the International Criminal Court on top of the implementation of targeted sanctions against the military’s financial interests,” the statement added.

The BHRN operates across Myanmar and works for human rights, minority rights and religious freedom, according to its website.

The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.

According to Amnesty International, more than 750,000 Rohingya refugees, mostly women and children, have fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community in August 2017.

Since Aug. 25, 2017, nearly 24,000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed by Myanmar’s state forces, according to a report by the Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA).

More than 34,000 Rohingya were also thrown into fires, while over 114,000 others were beaten, said the report, titled "Forced Migration of Rohingya: The Untold Experience".

Some 18,000 Rohingya women and girls were raped by Myanmar’s army and police and over 115,000 Rohingya homes were burned down and 113,000 others vandalized, it added.

In a report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity and genocidal intent.