Time to cut trade ties with Myanmar
November 5, 2017
How can we answer to our conscience knowing full-well what the Myanmar military is doing to the innocent Rohingya minority -- not even sparing children or pregnant women?
Despite the on-going humanitarian crisis involving Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in their home state, Bangladesh continues to trade with the country responsible for it.
Myanmar’s ruthless persecution of the Rohingya has burdened an already overpopulated Bangladesh with around one million hungry and severely distressed refugees.
The government, while doing its best, is struggling to host and feed them, while also figuring out the plan for eventual repatriation with officials in Myanmar who are bent on making the process as difficult as possible.
The Myanmar military’s crimes against humanity have prompted international outrage and even some punitive action, such as the World Bank halting a $200 million development loan to the country.
And yet, sadly, Bangladesh continues to approve deals to import rice and fuel oil from our hostile neighbour.
It is understandable that Bangladesh needs to stock up on food, but do we really need Myanmar as a trading partner?
It should be a matter of principle that a nation should not trade with another that is directly involved in ethnic cleansing, and, further, a matter of dignity, because Myanmar has been trying to sully our name with false accusations.
How can we answer to our conscience knowing full-well what the Myanmar military is doing to the innocent Rohingya minority — not even sparing children or pregnant women?
To send the right message to Myanmar, we need a clear and decisive policy regarding our trade dealings with the country — this means putting a stop to all trade unless and until Myanmar ends its human rights abuses.
