London  

SW1A 2AA 

Dear Prime Minister, 

Extremists hijacking the Myanmar crisis. 

We the undersigned are appalled at the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Myanmar due to communal persecution of Rohingya minorities in Rakhine province of Myanmar. 

We are also appalled at the attempts being made by Islamists groups in the UK to hijack the plight of Rohingyas and use it to rally extreme communal sentiments among the British Muslims and stir hatred against British Bangladeshis. 

We also take exception to some of the British politicians and political commentators attempt to blame the people of Bangladesh and the government of Bangladesh for this crisis. These sub-set of politicians are trying to whip up anti-Bangladeshi feelings for their narrow political agenda. Jamaat Islami, Hizbut Tehrir, Jamiatul Mujahedeen and the Respect parties are particularly active in pursuing this divisive communal line.  

We like you to note that Bangladesh has already given sanctuary to 100,000 Rohingya refugees in the refugee camps providing them with shelter, food, medicine and financial aid. Bangladeshi government and several NGO’s have been supporting these families since their arrival in Bangladesh. Another 200,000 Rohingyas are in Bangladesh illegally. A poor country like Bangladesh can not accept any more refugees from Myanmar. The presence of Myanmar refugees is destabilising the ethnic balance in the tribal areas of South East Bangladesh. It is also attracting Jihadi fighters (Al Qaeeda, Haqqani, JMB, Harkatul Jihad, Hizbut Tehrir) from all over the world, which is clearly a threat to secular Bangladesh’s existence. 

Currently government’s policy is to help the refugees with food, medicine, fuel and money and send them back to their home country. The government of Bangladesh has also called on the international community to bring pressure on the Myanmar government to stop these atrocities against its religious minorities and provide them with state protection. 

As our Prime Minister, we are calling on you to: 

1.        Demand of Myanmar Government that it takes adequate steps to stop these atrocities immediately and robustly protect the Rohingyas. 

2.        Call on the UN Secretary General to hold a debate in the General Council on this issue and mobilise support and awareness among the international community for protection of the Rohingya minorities in Myanmar. 

3.        Speak out against extremist elements of British political parties who are trying to make Myanmar a rallying call for communalism, religious intolerance and stir up anti-Bangladeshi sentiment. 

4.        Provide Bangladesh with practical support in its attempt to tackle extremist Islamist groups getting a foothold within the territories of Bangladesh. 

Yours Sincerely 

Nazrul Islam,  Tel: 07983 646125    e-mail: alinazrul@yahoo.co.uk 

Lead petitioner.