European Commission: Call for giving aid workers easy access in Rakhine

Urging all sides to deescalate tensions, the European Commission yesterday said it is committed to putting in all efforts to restore aid deliveries in the Rakhine State and working tirelessly with all stakeholders to achieve this.

"Unrestricted humanitarian access, including for aid workers, is critical to reach 350,000 vulnerable people in Rakhine State. They must be allowed to do their job to try to prevent the further deterioration of an already serious humanitarian situation," a top official of the European Commission said.

In a statement today, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides also called on all sides to deescalate tensions and fully observe international human rights law, and in particular to refrain from any violence against civilians.

Many Rohingya civilians are suffering greatly and are now fleeing the violence across the border into Bangladesh.

"They must not be turned back or deported. We greatly appreciate the hospitality extended by the Government and people of Bangladesh for many decades, said the Commissioner in the statement available in the website.

"The assistance and protection of the Bangladeshi authorities regarding these new refugees is crucial until the situation in Rakhine State has stabilised and they can safely return," the statement added.

Maldives condemns atrocities on Rohingya Muslims

Strongly condemning the atrocities against the Rohingyas in Rakhine state, the Maldives has ceased all trade ties with Myanmar until the Buddhist majority country takes measures to stop persecution on the Muslim minority.


Citing “systematic repression” of the minority group as documented in the past by the UN, the Maldives expressed concern with “the recent cycle of violence that resulted in the death of Rohingya Muslims and displaced several thousands.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Sunday night, the Maldives also called for swift action from the international community to stop the bloodshed.

“The Government of Maldives has decided to cease all trade ties with Myanmar, until the Government of Myanmar takes measures to prevent the atrocities being committed against Rohingya Muslims,” it reads.

“The Government of Maldives requests the United Nations Secretary General and the United Nations Human Rights Council to look into the grave violations of human rights against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.”

Around 125,000 Rohingyas have fled Myanmar to neighbouring Bangladesh since violent clashes erupted on August 25.