We are extremely concerned about the increase in propaganda against the minority Rohingya in Burma.  It suggests that there is a high possibility of a third massacre against the Muslim minority.  The world stood silently as the Rohingya were murdered and forced to leave their homeland.  The Rohingya in Burma had their homes burnt down and many are now forced to live in camps.   The violence has displaced over 120,000 people since June last year.

IHRC has received reports claiming that weapons have been distributed to the Rakhine to enable them to attack the Rohingya.  The propaganda is laying the groundwork for a full scale genocide to take place against the Rohingya who already face internal trade embargoes, racist propaganda and constant threats of violence.   The Rakhine majority have been holding protests in Sittwe, the capital of the Arakan state, against the Rohingya.   Leaflets have been distributed against the Rohingya accusing them of invading the state and being armed.  None of this is true, but is designed to increase hatred and violence towards the Muslim minority.

International pressure needs to be put on Burma to stop another round of devastating violence against the Rohingya that are an oppressed group.  The Rohingya have been in Burma for centuries but they are denied citizenship and are not even considered Burmese, they have no identity within the mainstream narrative of Burma.

Chair of IHRC, Massoud Shadjareh said, “There is a hidden genocide taking place in Burma, and we must speak out before even more of the Rohingya are murdered.  The international community need to come together and stop a third wave of violence taking place.”

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