Tell President Obama to Urgently Search for and Rescue Stranded Rohingya

By Conservative Party Human Rights Commission • May 19, 2015

The Chair of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, Fiona Bruce MP, today urged the British Government to use its influence with governments in South-East Asia to address the crisis facing thousands of Rohingyas stranded on boats in the Andaman Sea, with no food or drinking water.

Fiona welcomed the statement by Foreign and Commonwealth Minister the Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP, putting pressure on the Government of Burma, as well as those of Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia to co-ordinate efforts to urgently provide sanctuary and humanitarian assistance for these desperate people.

She also urged the United Nations Secretary-General to lead efforts to negotiate with the Government of Burma for unhindered humanitarian access to Arakan State, where tens of thousands of Rohingyas have been living in dire conditions in camps for the internally displaced following violence that erupted three years ago.

“The images and testimonies we are seeing and hearing in the media portray a terrible human tragedy unfolding on the Andaman Sea, and another humanitarian crisis developing in Arakan State, Burma. International experts are warning of indicators of genocide,” said Fiona. “I call on the Foreign Secretary and the British Government to use every possible means of influence to work with governments in South-East Asia, as well as the European Union and the United Nations, to prevent this human tragedy worsening still further, to rescue those at sea, and ensure that they receive food, drinking water, medical care, shelter and other humanitarian assistance, and tackle the root causes of the crisis facing the Rohingyas in Burma. Too often in history the world has watched crises of this kind unfold, only to declare afterwards the words ‘Never again’. This time, let us say ‘Never again’ before it is too late, and act to prevent further suffering.”

For further information, please contact Johnny Monro in the office of Fiona Bruce MP, on [email protected] or 020 7 219 2969