JOINT STATEMENT: ACTU AND UNION AID ABROAD APHEDA CALLS FOR AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TO SPEAK OUT ON ROHINGYA GENOCIDE IN MYANMAR DEMONSTRATIONS TO BE HELD TOMMOROW AT 9AM

We will be holding simultaneous demonstrations with local Rohingya communities outside the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) offices in both Sydney and Melbourne at 9am Thursday 7th of September to call on the Australian government to speak out and demand that Myanmar end the violence and stop the genocide against the Rohingya.

Sydney demonstration location: 9 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
Melbourne demonstration location: 55 Colins Street, Sydney

Over the last week, Myanmar’s Rohingya people have been under renewed attack by the Myanmar military. At least 80,000 people are desperately trying to get to the border with Bangladesh. Images and reports of homes and villages being destroyed are prolific whilst the death toll continues to rise. Satellite images from the Rohingya Muslim village of Chein Khar Li in Rathedaung township show the destruction of 700 buildings, nearly the entire village burnt to the ground.

It is clear the government of Myanmar has repeatedly failed to prevent bloodshed and violence against one of the world’s most persecuted minority. Despite the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State, the situation continues to escalate and the international community must speak up.

The ACTU and Union Aid Abroad APHEDA implore the Australian government to speak out and demand that Myanmar end the violence and stop the genocide.

Statements attributable to Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) President, Ged Kearney:

“The ACTU strongly condemns the reported killings and slaughter of innocent Rohingya communities in Rakhine State, Myanmar. The great hope, that a newly democratic Myanmar would emerge from its violent past consumed by internal conflict, and enter a new phase of peace is fading fast. We call on the Australian Government to act.”

Statements attributable to Union Aid Abroad APHEDA Executive Officer, Kate Lee:

“Australia has a history of diplomatic and political influence in the region and has the potential to play a significant role in ending the violence in Rakhine State. The time for Australian Government action to protect the Rohingya population is now!”
Kate Lee, Jane Salmon