The first group of Rohingya came to Bangladesh as refugees in the 1970s. But after the 1982 Myanmar Citizenship Law was passed, which denied citizenship to the Rohingya even refusing to use the name “Rohingya”, instead referring to them “Bengali”, an irregular Rohingya diaspora began to grow. But the most horrible and tragic exodus of Rohingya refugees occurred in 2017 when the Myanmar Army and ultra-nationalist Buddhists began mass persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya walked hundreds of miles through jungle and bush to reach Bangladesh, a safe haven. Camps were put up for them in Cox’s Bazar, the border district with Myanmar. Local people along with the whole country received them warm-heartedly. Humanitarian aid both domestically and internationally came pouring. My family itself like many others, sent a truck load of daily necessities to the camps. But, when Turkey’s First Lady Emine Erdogan herself visited the camps with a retinue of high-ranking officials, a new door opened for humanitarian aid that transcended the efforts made by all other countries or their affiliated NGOs working in the Rohingya camps.

The Turkish first lady Emine Erdogan visited the Rohingya Camps on 7 September, 2017 amid heightened global attention on the Rohingya crisis. She promised ongoing humanitarian help and also advocated this issue to the UN. It was to fulfil her promise of ongoing commitment to the Rohingya that the then Turkish PM Binali Yildirim came to Bangladesh in December of that same year to visit the camps. From then, four Turkish charity organizations—AFAD, TİKA (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency), Türk Kızılayı (Turkish Red Crescent) and TDV (Turkiye Diyanet Foundation) —have been working restlessly on the ground. A government report by Turkey published in 2018 stated that the amount expended by these four Turkish humanitarian agencies from 2017, outnumbered $11.260.000 (TL 42.788.000). They have built extensive accommodation such as the Emir Sultan village, and set up clinics to provide emergency medical treatment among other achievements. As a result of their tremendous work, they were able to provide assistance to almost 700,000 Rohingya Refugees, 63.64% of the total refugees.

It has been a little over two years since 2017. Talks about the repatriation of the Rohingya started around August, 2018 and moved slowly. The first group of 3,540 people selected for repatriation was to return this August, 2019, but it never happened. Days afterwards, there was a mass rally attended by hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to demonstrate their unwillingness to return. It was in this very rally that they published a list of demands to be met before considering a return to Myanmar. The list talks about Myanmar citizenship, security and also accountability for the crimes that were committed against them. But this move by the Rohingya was not well received by both the government and the local community.

Just after this huge protest, the Bangladeshi government proscribed the activities of 41 NGOs who financed and helped to organize the event. It immediately halted all transactions made by those NGOs. A further ban of two other NGO’s followed. It is clear that the government of Bangladesh now considers the Rohingya as a threat. Tensions are also rising in local communities about the long-term impact of the presence of Rohingya refugees. In an ordinance, the government asked phone operators to halt their services because of fears that criminal activity can occur inside the camp due to its limited surveillance. And some recent incidents of violence including murder strengthened this suspicion. Locals fear that one day the Rohingya will take over their jobs and kick them off their own lands. But this very idea of ‘being taken over’ is nothing but propaganda spread by some mainstream media. The most surprising part of this propaganda is that it also includes Turkish humanitarian aid as a reason for the Rohingya’s refusal to repatriate.

However, Turkish aid has nothing to do with the Rohingya community saying no to repatriation. No one wants to live in a foreign land dependent on the goodwill of others. They only do so if their life is threatened at home. When the Rohingya fled Myanmar in 2017, most of them lost one or many family members to the violence perpetrated by the Myanmar’s military and Buddhists terrorists. Their homes were torched, so many left with literally nothing. When a country like Turkey provides humanitarian assistance to help refugees live with basic human rights and dignity, it is understandable if many wishes to stay when the alternative is much more frightening and uncertain. 

Turkey has already played a big role in the Rohingya issue. In November, 2018, it presented a resolution at the UN that spoke about the issue of repatriation and urged the UN to take action to end the Rohingya crisis. The resolution was approved by a vote of 142-10. Of the ten countries that voted against this resolution, China, a close ally of Myanmar, was one of them. Turkey has also been at the forefront when it comes to humanitarian aid at the Rohingya camps. It has built mosques, schools, clinics, wells for potable water and provided daily necessities. But, this was for the sake of meeting the immediate needs of Rohingya refugees and in no way, was aimed at encouraging them to stay in Bangladesh long term. Turkey has advocated for the right of the Rohingya to repatriate at the UN and in foreign platforms, and at senior level meetings with various foreign ministers.

A long-term solution to assist the Rohingya refugees is necessary as soon as possible. Bangladesh has very limited resources to help them if, in near future, the aid organizations working to support the Rohingya withdraw their resources. And with every passing day, the Rohingya population is increasing, meaning that they will need more land, and that means more forests would be cut to accommodate them. As deforestation is already rampant to meet the fuel needs of the Rohingya, deforestation issues should be prevented as a priority. There is also the rising tension between local Bangladeshi and Rohingya people who are competing for limited resources. So, it is better to have a long-term solution before the situation gets out of control. In this case, China has an important role to play. China currently stands with Myanmar in its role on the Rohingya issue. But China needs to force Myanmar to find a long-term solution. So, while it can be said with conviction that Turkish aid has nothing to do with the Rohingya refusal to repatriate. It is in fact Turkey’s commitment to the Rohingya people at the international and local level that provides an important source of hope.

Turkey hosts the highest number of refugees worldwide with over 4 million refugees currently residing in Turkey, ranks first in humanitarian aid globally and while UN has barely managed to provide a measly $0.7 Bn, Turkey has spent over $32 Bn for Syrian refugees.

Turkey’s rich history of hospitality continues to date as the country supports words with action. The World has largely remained silent to many of the atrocities over the last decade, with world leaders being “concerned” and international organizations “condemning” war crimes, few have taken actually responsibility to foster to the needs of the victims of ruthless wars which were waged publicly and thus normally bound to stimulate the consciences. Turkey has challenged the status quo, stood against the global inclination to remain oblivious and has taken the most progressive measures to aid the victims of wars.

Some of its European neighbors caged refugees, while some others burned their camps, while some “inadvertently” lost over a thousand child refugees, while others deflated the boats of refugees trying to find recluse midway in international waters, while others beat down refugees, while yet others publicly humiliated refugees, Turkey took tangible steps to provide food, shelter, healthcare, job opportunities, business prospects and social inclusion with sincere steps taken for integration.

The discrepancy between the rhetoric and action of many countries in their stance towards the bloody wars waged in the Middle East is repugnant to say the least. Publicly legitimizing & justifying whilst secretly waging and aiding wars, the “concerns” and “condemnations” of some countries undermine the intellect of the global community.

The conscience of the Turkish community has stood firmly against this violence and ruthless aggression and has demonstrated to the world what it means to be genuinely concerned. The largest donations in humanitarian aid globally come from Turkey. The Turkish community has always publicly and proactively protested those responsible for wars, whether they were Turkey’s “ally” or foe, they have taken to the streets to protest for days in front of various embassies or formed a human convoy stretching out of its borders against the atrocities that no true “human” should be able to stand idly blind to.

“Turkey has been an example in terms of hosting refugee populations. Over 3 million people are still living in Turkey as refugees. And I think really from that perspective, Turkey has been a model of hospitality and providing services to a population who was really in need.” Alanna Armitage, United Nations Population Fund’s regional director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said in an interview with Anadolu Agency.

Whilst refugees, or the threat thereof, has become a political leverage to win elections in many European countries left and right, the world needs no more false mannerisms, feinted “concerns”, parades of “sympathy” or mocking “condemnations”, but real action. Turkey has backed its words with actions, it is time for others to do the same.

On Monday 7 May, 2018, the International Mount of Olives Peace Awards found their recipients at the Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul, Turkey.

Under the premiership of the Turkish presidency and organized by the Al-Quds Platform in Istanbul, the International Mount of Olives Peace Awards were rewarded to four different individuals for their long commitment to the Palestinian cause.

With the attendance of President Erdogan, First Lady Emine Erdogan, Turkey’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Numan Kurtulmus, Mayor of Istanbul Vasip Sahin and leader of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mevlut Uysal, awards were given to Craig and Cindy Corrie on behalf of Rachel Corrie, to Noor Fitri, Benjamin Ladraa and to Muthir Hani on behalf of Naji al-Ali.

Opening the ceremony, chair of the Al-Quds Platform, Belkis Ibrahimhakkioglu thanked the President and guests for their attendance.

Drawing attention to the historical atrocities in Palestine, Ibrahimhakkioglu stated, “The 100. Anniversary of the Nakbah is nearly here. The map of Palestine was changed and the displacement of Palestinian people occurred in only 24 hours. Both Israel and the U.S. are going to celebrate their oppression. They are going to engulf a sense of enmity and blame others. And again, regardless of UN decisions, no one is going to do anything. Reactions are going to stay limited to on paper and the occupation in Palestine is going to continue.”

“Only a minimal number of voices are going to be heard. For this reason, we should increase the number of loud voices within these minimal voices. These loud voices should turn into strong and systematic programs.”

Speaking after Belkis Ibrahimhakkioglu, President Erdogan re-iterated his “the world is bigger than 5″ slogan in the name of finding peace for the decades-long Arab-Israeli conflict. The President also underlined what Ibrahimhakkioglu mentioned in her speech, and further stated that reform of the United Nations is now not a choice but a necessity, as countries – referring to the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel – regardless of UN decisions – can act alone and go againt the international community.

Who are the recipients?

Rachel Corrie

Craig and Cindy Corrie, parents of Rachel Corrie, a U.S. citizen who was killed by the Israeli army in 2003 received their award from President Erdogan.

Corrie was in the Gaza Strip in 2003 as part of her work with the International Solidarity movement, a movement that looks worldwide for people to help with their nonviolent protests against the Israeli military in the West Bank.

After her death, The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice was founded to “support programs that foster connections between people, that build understanding, respect, and appreciation for differences, and that promote cooperation within and between local and global communities.”

After receiving their award from President Erdogan, during their speech, both Cindy and Craig Corrie upheld what their daughter stood for.

Thanking the Turkish public for standing by them since the death of their daughter, Cindy Corrie stated, “We are honored and humbled to be included among the recipients, and we are mindful of the fact that the people of Turkey have stood with our family since 2003 when Rachel was killed.”

Drawing attention to the continuing human rights infringements occurring in Palestine, Craig Corrie stated, “We have watched protesters and members of media brutally killed during these past weeks, as the people of Gaza have turned to the world, demanding their rights and an end to occupation and siege. As citizens of the world, we have an obligation to protect the lives of those everywhere, who at great risk, stand for freedom, and bear witness for us to injustice.”

Noor Fitri

Rewarded her award by Emine Erdogan, Noor Fitri was aboard on the Mavi Marmara. After being detained by the Israeli forces, she was finally set free to return to her own country. Upon arriving to Indonesia, she founded Adara Relief International, which is an organization that seeks to help those that have been affected by war, conflict and natural disasters.

Upon receiving her award, after thanking the Al-Quds Platform and the Turkish presidency for their support to the Palestinian cause, Fitri remembered the martyrs of Mavi Marmara and said, “I take this award for my brothers that were martyred on Mavi Marmara.”

Benjamin Ladraa

Benjamin Ladraa received his award from leader of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mevlut Uysal. A young activist from Sweeden, Ladraa has drawn attention to the human rights abuses and the Israeli occupation with his steps. Having set off his journey in August 2017, Ladraa has walked through 11 countries and got to Turkey in March 2018.

Explaining the reasoning behind his particular method of resistance, Ladraa stated that “every step taken is important.” During his speech at the awards evening Ladraa emphasized how walking has allowed him to meet new people and to explain the situation in Palestine. His end aim is to go to Northern Cyprus and take a boat to Palestine – not knowing whether he will be granted entry by the Israeli forces.

Naji al-Ali

Naji al-Ali, forced to leave Palestine, and well known for his famous cartoon ‘Hanzala’ was assassinated by the Israeli secret service, Mossad, in 1987.

Hanzala was a cartoon depicting a young boy aged 10, who always had his back to the viewer, reflecting how the world has remained silent to the issues in Palestine.

Describing Hanzala, Naji al-Ali once wrote: “Hanzala was born at the age of ten and will always remain ten. At that age I left my country and only when Hanzala returns to Palestine will he grow up and exceed the age of ten. The rules of nature do not apply on him. He is an exception and things will only be natural in his case when he returns to Palestine. The child is a symbolic representation of myself and the group who lives and endures the situation we are all in. I offered him to the readers and called him Hanzala as a symbol of bitterness. In the beginning I offered him as a Palestinian child and with the development of his awareness he had a patriotic and a human outlook.”

The “Love Army,” led by Jerome Jarre, made a call to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the Muslims in Rohingya this time first with the hashtag #LoveArmyForRohingya and later #ErdoganHelpRohingya on Twitter.

The Social media star tweeted;

WE NEED YOUR HELP!
WE ARE ASKING IF THE TURKISH PRESIDENT CAN HELP US WITH OUR ROHINGYA MISSION!
PLEASE EVERYONE RETWEET AND USE THE HASHTAG #ErdoganHelpRohingya

https://twitter.com/jeromejarre/status/935428275282763776

Within hours Jarre’s tweets got thousands of likes and retweets.

Many famous French actors, artists and YouTube and social media stars along with other twitter users supported the campaign by tweeting under the hashtag #ErdoganHelpRohingya, some even tweeting in Turkish to get the attention of the Turkish President and officials.

https://twitter.com/OmarSy/status/935419800494284802

President Erdogan responded shortly after via his official Twitter account.

He wrote, “Dear @jeromejarre,
We never turn down requests for assistance — wherever the people in need may be.

We will to support #LoveArmyforRohingya efforts through our aid agencies, @AFADTurkey @Tika_Turkey and @RedCrescentTR , along with @TurkishAirlines”.

https://twitter.com/RT_Erdogan/status/935464831523721216

 

Jerome Jarre, the French social media phenomenon, initially known for his vines on social media is trying to draw attention on humanitarian crises all over the world with his followers and donators all together forming the Love Army as he calls it.

The Love Army has previously launched 2 other aid movements first in Somalia where 60 tons of food supplements in partnership with the Turkish Airlines were donated and second in Mexico to help the people after the earthquake.

Turkish authorities and aid agencies have been collecting donations for years in order to help Rohingya Muslims.

First lady Emine Erdogan had visited the Rohingya Muslims who fled the Myanmar genocide and took refuge in Bangladesh and distributed the most urgent nutrition, medicine and clothing materials from Turkey.

Then Prime Minister Erdogan urged the UN to take immediate action back in 2012.

*Written by Suna Nur Sarihan. 

On Wednesday a signing ceremony was held during the 33rd Ministerial Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) in Istanbul.

An agreement, where the chiefs of the Turkish Red Crescent, AFAD and TOBB attended, was signed to support 1,500 Palestinian families who migrated to Turkey.

The deal of the project that is planned to start on 1 December this year, was signed between the Turkish Red Crescent, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), Credit Guarantee Fund, Turkey’s Disaster Management Agency (AFAD), the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), WAFA Group and the Statistical Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC).

“With this broad participated support, our Palestinian siblings can look after themselves and their families,” Kerem Kinik, head of Turkish Red Crescent said while he emphasized the need of decent jobs for Palestinians.

The first step of the project is protection, followed by business and capacity development.

The Islamic Development Bank is said to provide education and mentorship in this second step; people, who can set up businesses and develop projects will be supported.

The third step is providing funding and credit; which Turkey’s Credit Guarantee Fund will be responsible of.

TOBB will undertake the last step, which is about providing network between occupation and entrepreneurs.

*Written by Suna Nur Sarihan. 

As soon as the powerful earthquake hit the Iraq-Iran border late on Sunday, Turkey announced its support to both Iraq and Iran, where most of the causalities took place.

While offering condolences to the victims, a statement published by the Turkish Prime Ministry underlined that the Turkish nation stands with the earthquake victims.

According to the US Geological Survey, the magnitude of the earthquake, which hit around 32 kilometers southwest of the Iraqi city of Halabja at 9.15 p.m. was around 7.3.  So far the quake has claimed at least 328 lives in Iran and seven others in Iraq.

Turkey has already begun its aid process, sending convoys of medical and food items. Initial reports say around 3,000 tents, 3,000 blankets and supplies of food were sent by the Turkish Red Crescent to Iraq. 4,000 more blankets from Turkey’s southeastern provinces Muş and Diyarbakır were also sent.

As per the sources close to the ministry, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called on Javad Zarif, his Iranian counterpart, on Monday to express his deep solidarity with the nation and said Turkey was ready to provide any aid to the country.

The photographs of Turkish Red Crescent volunteers could be seen carrying boxes of aid items in the middle of the rubble and wreckage.

According to prime ministry and health ministry statements, convoys of more aid such as tents, food and medical items are en route to disaster areas from southern provinces of Turkey by military cargos. To match the demands of the urgency, the Turkish Health Ministry said Disaster Management Agency (AFAD)’s 30-men rescue team has reached the Habur border gate to help quake-victims, and around 316 members of the National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) and emergency response teams are ready to offer assistance to northern Iraq.

A statement from AFAD informed that 5,000 tents, 7,000 blankets, 92 personnel and 11 vehicles were dispatched to northern Iraq immediately after the tremor.

The natural disaster comes in the middle of a strong political controversy following the KRG’s one-sided independence referendum weeks earlier. The referendum drew immense criticism and threats from the three neighbors of the KRG.

KRG thanks Turkey

Meanwhile, the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) did not miss to send its note thanks to Turkey providing aid to earthquake victims in northern Iraq immediately.

“Special thanks to Turkey, AFAD [Turkey’s Disaster Management Agency] and Red Crescent for their quick response and support,” KRG spokesman Safeen Dizayee said on Twitter.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the beginning of the academic year in Hasan Kalyoncu University, in the southeastern Turkish province Gaziantep, Turkish Foreign Minister claimed that Turkey will surpass the U.S. in terms of supplying humanitarian aid across the world.

Mevlut Cavusoglu stated that Turkey is currently the second-most charitable country in the world, only preceded by the U.S..

In comparison to the U.S., which spent $6.3 billion on humanitarian aid, Turkey spent $6 billion in 2016.

“But this year we will be the top country to send humanitarian aid,” he added.

Underlining that there is no parallel between economic strength and humanitarian dedication, the Foreign Minister stated that Turkey is expected to spend more money on humanitarian aid in 2017, despite the fact that it is not the richest country in the world.

Speaking about the millions of refugees that have been displaced due to conflict, terrorism and famine, Cavusoglu said: “If you don’t stop terrorism where it is occurring, it will reach you.”

“You cannot say, ‘it is far from me, it will not touch me, it has nothing to do with me.’ This is the biggest mistake in the war on terrorism the world is making.”

In regards to the situation in Syria, the Foreign Minister said: “Stability in Syria will not be possible without a political solution.”

He claimed that the world had double standards towards dealing with terrorism, adding that only the fight against Daesh will not bring stability in Syria.

According to official statistics, Turkey is currently hosting over 3.4 million Syrian refugees that have fled the war.

Ankara calculates that it has spent at least $30 billion in sheltering and providing satisfactory living standards for these guests.

Since August 25, 2017 according to the United Nations, over 600,000 Rohingya have crossed from Myanmar’s western state of Rakhine over to Bangladesh.

Rohingya Muslims have been fleeing military operations in which security forces and Buddhist mobs have killed men, women and children, looted homes and torched Rohingya villages. Records also indicate that women have been victim to rape and torture.

According to Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali, around 3,000 Rohingya have been killed in the crackdown.

While Turkey has been at the forefront in providing aid with its humanitarian organizations, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also raised the issue at the UN General Assembly held last month.

Mehmet Gulluoglu, head of Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that the Turkish Red Crescent had raised over $5.4 million for the Rohingya, while AFAD itself has raised $16.2 million since 2012.

While the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) have been active in providing aid for the Rohingya, during the Geneva conference IHH representative Taha Keskin stated: “We gladly announce that we are going to allocate $10 million for suffering Rohingya people through 2017 and 2018. We will continue to implement our projects from varied clusters through local organizations in Bangladesh and Myanmar.”

According to the UN, the Geneva conference raised $344 million in pledges for humanitarian aid to the Rohingya refugees.

Speaking at the conference, UN High Commissioner for refugees applauded Turkey’s humanitarian efforts.

Filippo Grandi addressed Turkey as a “generous humanitarian donor,” following its pledge to spend $50 million on supporting Rohingya refuges.

“I would like to say that Turkey continues to be a generous humanitarian donor globally besides the largest refugee-hosting country in the world.”

“We have to continue to improve the response to the very massive crisis, the biggest and the fastest we have seen in many years.”

Commenting on the standards of life within refugee camps in Bangladesh, Grandi said: “More than 800,000 stateless Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh aspire to a life that meets their immediate needs for food, medicine, water, and shelter. But beyond that, a life that has hope for the future where their identity is recognized, they are free from discrimination, and are able to return safely to their homes in Myanmar. As we come together in solidarity, I want to thank Bangladesh and its refugee-hosting communities and the donors for supporting them.”

Israel still selling weapons to Myanmar

While the UN has documented mass gang rapes, killings, brutal beatings and disappearances committed by the Myanmar security personnel, including a report in which UN investigators stated that such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity, it has been reported that Israel still continues to sell advanced weapons to the Myanmar navy.

According to Israeli daily Haaretz, “Isreali-made navy patrol boats custom-fitted with remote weapon stations are part of arms deals estimated to be worth tens of millions.”

According to the report, weapons sold to Myanmar include Typhoon missiles produced by the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems company, which normally produces such systems for Israel.

The U.S. and EU have applied an arms embargo on the Myanmar military.

Following the crimes committed against Rohingya Muslims by the Myanmar security officers and Buddhist mobs, according to the United Nations, since August 25 approximately 520,000 Rohingya have crossed from Rakhine to Bangladesh.

According to Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali, around 3,000 Rohingya have been killed in the crackdown.

Since the events have unfolded, Turkey has led the cause in humanitarian assistance. Not only has it delivered tons of aid through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, the First Lady also visited Rohingya refugees in order to deliver aid.

More, President Erdogan brought the Rohingya crisis to the agenda during the UN General Assembly last month, urging the international community to form an alliance in order to combat these crimes against humanity.

In addition to TIKA, Turkey-based Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) has stated that it has delivered aid to 270,000 Rohingya refugees.

A statement released by Vice-Chairman Yasar Kutluay indicated that these humanitarian efforts are to continue in the region in order to help the living standards of refugees that have migrated to Bangladesh.

Turkish MPs to meet Rohingya Muslims in Bangladesh

In addition to its humanitarian agencies, an announcement made by the Parliamentary Union of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (PUOIC) stated that a group of Turkish lawmakers will visit Rohingya Muslims in Bangladesh in order to assess the situation first hand.

Head of PUOIC, Orhan Atalay, also an MP for AK Party, said that the decision was made during the executive committee meeting of the parliamentary body in Tehran, Iran on Saturday.

The visit to Bangladesh is expected to take place before the PUOIC’s general conference on January 10, 2018.

Atalay stated that this proposal was made in order to assess “what can be done for the tragic situation of Arakan [Rohingya] Muslims.”

“Our proposal was put to the vote and it was unanimously accepted.”

Atalay finally added that the executive committee also stood in favor of an “institutive cooperation” against terrorism and extremism.

According to a report published by the US-based Arakan Rohingya Union, attacks on the Rohingya in Myanmar are continuing despite the government declaring an end to Myanmar’s military operation in Rakhine state.

The Union made its observation in the “Narrative Report on Situation on the Ground in Northern Arakan/Rakhine State, Myanmar,” noting that Myanmar government officials reportedly met leaders of the Rohingya community and told them that the military had completed its operation and rooted out “insurgents.”

In comparison to this, the report states that “attacks on civilians and torching of homes by Buddhist Rakhine vigilantes under the cover of the police have dramatically increased since then.”

“The patterns of attacks are evidently conducted systematically. The vigilante group torch Rohingya homes, the Rohingya families flee and police open fire at them.”

The report included that information about the “continuous killing of Rohingya families by the vigilantes under the cover of police and increased sexual violence against Rohingya women” was still being received from refugees arriving in Bangladesh.

Appealing for global pressure on the Myanmar administration, the report emphasizes “If they [Rohingya Muslims] will be relocated from camps to permanent locations, it is possible that they will not be allowed to return to their original properties in their villages.”

While the Rohingya crisis was on the agenda during the UN General Assembly last month, the international community has failed to insert pressure on the de-facto leader of Myanmar, former Nobel Peace recipient, Aung San Suu Kyi.

In spite of recent developments and the lack of unity from the international community, the report urged to form a strong coalition “to pressure the Security Council for urgent and ambitious actions, including a resolution to address the crisis facing the Rohingya, and designate a safezone for all people in Northern Arakan state protected by multinational security forces.”

Since August 25, the UN has reported that over 500,000 Rohingya have crossed over to Bangladesh, and that during this crisis over 3,000 Rohingya have been killed.

http://thenewturkey.org/setting-an-example-turkeys-lead-on-humanitarian-aid/

Rohingya crisis: a humanitarian approach

Kerem Divanlioglu, Turkey’s ambassador to Myanmar, was part of a 48-person team including UN officials and foreign diplomats based in the commercial capital, Yangon, who visited the Maungdaw area of Rakhine state on October 2.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Divanlioglu said that while Turkey doesn’t have any expectations, the country is helping Rohingya Muslims due to its “humanitarian stance.”

Adding that Turkey does not have a political agenda in Myanmar, he stated that “we’ve kept the dialogue channels open with Myanamar authorities, as we only want to help them in a humanistic way.”

He described how when flying over Arakan [Rakhine state], “I saw many villages that were completely destroyed,” adding that only five Muslim villages in the Rathidaung district were habitable.

Visiting a village, Ah Nauk Pyin, the diplomat spoke to the Muslim community, who he said only wants “safety and food.”

In addition to Divanlioglu’s comments, the Turkish Health Ministry has confirmed that it will send aid worth 196 million Turkish liras ($54 million) to Bangladesh for Rohingya Muslims who have crossed over from Rakhine state.

According to a source from the Ministry, the aid will be delivered through the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

Source: AA and other agencies

On Thursday U.S. envoy to the UN, Nikki Haley, told the Security Council that violence against the Muslim Rohingya minority in Myanmar appears to be an ethnic cleansing.

“We cannot be afraid to call the actions of the Burmese [Myanmar] authorities what they appear to be: a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority.”

Haley urged the Naypyidaw government to allow media and humanitarian access to Rakhine state, home to the Rohingya, if its claim of fighting terrorists is true.

The ongoing violence “should shame senior Burmese leaders who have sacrificed so much for an open democratic Burma,” Haley said.

The UN envoy also urged the Security Council to question arms sales to the Myanmar administration and called for a stop in those sales.

Training and providing the military with equipment has also been raised by the UK government, which announced that the trainings provided by the British army will be on hold.

Humanitarian assistance

Talking to the Anadolu Agency, Wakar Uddin, head of the Arakan (Rakhine) Rohingya Union, called for the international community to protect the Rohingya Muslims.

“Turkey is pushing for a coalition of nations to address the issue in the UN, and hopefully, at the Security Council.”

Thanking the efforts of the Turkish government, which has led the role in humanitarian assistance, Uddin said “I express my gratitude on behalf of Rohingya people to President Erdogan, and the government and people of Turkey for voicing support for Rohingya people.”

He urged for the UN to pressure Myanmar’s government to return education, health, infrastructure and citizenship rights to the Rohingya Muslims.

In regards to humanitarian assistance from Turkey, Bayram Numan Koksal, coordinator of the Cansuyu Organization, stated that they will provide tents to 20,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

He added that each tent will include a bathroom. A mosque and education and health center will also be constructed for the refugees.

Latest figures by the UN source that over half a million Rohingya Muslims have crossed into Bangladesh from Myanmar since August 25.

Disregarded by many developed countries and neglected by the Muslim world, the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar found a voice through Turkey, once again highlighting the country’s prominence in humanitarian aid. After President Erdoğan’s meeting with the Myanmar administration, Turkey will extend its helping hand to the region and its people through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).

Providing humanitarian aid has been a strong cultural trait of Turkey. During the time that the government has been standing firmly against the massacre in Myanmar, it must not be forgotten how Turkey was the only country that took an initiative of help during the famine in Somalia in 2011. While no politicians visited Somalia, President Erdoğan visited the country with his family, ministers, and representatives of business and sport in order to draw the international arena’s attention to the crisis that was occurring in Somalia.

In addition to Somalia, disregarding the political and economic repercussions, Turkey did not remain idle to the Israeli violence in Palestine. During the 2009 World Economic Forum’s “Gaza: Peace in the Middle East” panel, Erdogan’s firm stance against Shimon Peres clearly illustrated his government’s position on the Arab-Israeli conflict. Then prime minister, Erdogan’s “one minute” slogan became characterized of Turkey-Israel relations. Diplomatic relations further deteriorated after the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid, which was organized by the Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Aid (IHH). Israeli commanders that landed on the deck not only prevented the aid from being delivered to Gaza but also killed 10 activists who were on board.

Another conflict in the region, which Turkey has approached with a humanitarian perspective is the Syrian civil war. Pursuing an open-door policy, Turkey has welcomed Syrians fleeing chaos and conflict. Followed by Jordan and Lebanon, Turkey is the largest host of Syrian refugees. According to data provided by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Interior Directorate General of Migration Management (GİGM), there are 3.141.380 registered Syrian refugees in Turkey. While hosting such a capacity contains political, economic and social burdens on the state, Turkey has maintained high standards in regards to its refugee camps and social inclusion of refugees into areas such as education and employment.

It is definite that a country’s economic condition is not an indicator for humanitarian aid. While 18% of the host countries are low-income economies, only 7% consists of high-income economies. Therefore, superior economic conditions do not ensure a better performance in humanitarian aid. This is further reflected in the graph provided below.

Thus, it can be argued that the Turkey is successful in lending a helping hand and aiding those in need. While the success of this activity could be measured through quantitation, sincerity of aid ultimately relies on not expecting any political or economic return.

‘Developing countries’ designed for chaos

In order to assess Turkey’s performance in terms of humanitarian aid and provision, one must glance at the 2017 report of Global Humanitarian Assistance. This report, alongside the concept which has become “Humanitarian Day” both carry relevance for the topic in discussion. It is important to briefly note here the significance of the day the report was published.

Commemorating the day UN headquarters in Baghdad was victim to a terrorist attack, August 19 has become acknowledged as World Humanitarian Day since 2008. The World Humanitarian Day provides a minimal opportunity for issues of development and crises to rise on the political agenda and for international organizations such as the UN to measure their success in areas such as the ability to provide clean shelter, water, food and security to those in need. Trends in the amount of humanitarian aid between 2012-2016 indicate that the need for humanitarian aid is increasing by the day. While $16.1 billion was dedicated to humanitarian aid by the state, EU and private sector in 2012, this amount has increased to $27.3 billion in 2016.

The strive for power in the international arena and the self-interest of societies ultimately harms socio-economically vulnerable people. In this respect therefore, the regions of crisis and the populations affected by war and famine have certain similarities between them. It cannot be denied that the wars in the Middle East and Africa today, are to a certain extent, a legacy of colonialism. Ethnic and sectarian conflicts that have been driven to the fore in the regions in question are potentially due to the fact that the borders of countries were drawn by the colonial powers. The case that emphasizes this best is the Rwandan genocide, where the Tutsi were slaughtered by members of the Hutu majority.

The power relations that were formed during the colonial era remain stable today. When we talk of humanitarian crisis, deprivation and impoverishment, we are addressing a specific ‘area’ of the world: the less developed countries. While it may be common to read of children dying from famine in Sudan or Somalia, reading of the same story occurring in a western country will come as a shock. Further, while child soldiers in Syria are perceived as commonplace, participation to Daesh from the west is perceived abnormal.

The International assessment of aid

Providing $6 billion in 2016, Turkey is the second country that provides the most humanitarian aid. Looking at the top ten (see list below), we see that the US ranks first, while Turkey second. They are followed by the UK, Germany, Sweden, Japan, UAE, Norway and the Netherlands. When one considers the income per capita according to purchasing power of these countries in 2016, there is a negative correlation between income per capita and humanitarian aid. Ironically, the richer the country, the less humanitarian aid they provide.

Moreover, Turkey dedicates 0.75% of its Gross National Income to humanitarian aid. Among the top ten, the US dedicates 0.03%, the UK 0.09%, Germany 0.07% and Sweden dedicates 0.14% of their GNI to humanitarian aid. Turkey’s emphasis on humanitarian aid in comparison with developed countries like UAE, Luxemburg, Sweden, Denmark and Norway also reflects on quantitative indicators.

Ranking of the countries receiving aid indicates that political and social stability along with economic development are determinants of need for humanitarian aid. Met with idleness by developed countries, the chaos and conflict in Syria puts the country on the top of the list. Syria is followed by Yemen, Jordan, South Sudan and Iraq. Receiving $2.129 billion humanitarian aid, Syria is followed by Yemen with $1.546 billion, Jordan with $959 million, South Sudan with $935 million and Iraq with $888 million. Analyzing these countries, beside economic development, we can see how important political stability is for social and economic prosperity.

The increase in the number of people in need of humanitarian aid highlights that political and social crises and chaos are deteriorating in less developed or developing regions. Interpreting the increase in resources dedicated to humanitarian aid as an improvement in awareness and sensitivity would only be unrealistically optimistic, especially seeing the list of countries that provide humanitarian aid. However, this could only be resolved if countries that disregard humanitarian catastrophes cleanse themselves from political and economic ambitions. It should be remembered that humanitarian crises are not necessarily regional threats, but pose a threat to the whole world.

The terror in Rakhine State has once again emerged on the political agenda. Since 25 August mass atrocities against the Rohingya Muslims have been noted by the UN, indicating that these crimes can amount to crimes against humanity.

Following the crimes committed by the Myanmar security forces and Buddhist mobs, including mass rape, murder and gang violence, Rohingya Muslims escaping violence have begun seeking refuge in Bangladesh.

According to the latest survey of Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG), an information hub for the agencies working with the Rohingya issue in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, 429,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since the 25^th of August. 145,000 have taken refuge in the camps while 196,000 Rohingya are still staying on hills and under tents. According to estimates, 88,000 are living with relatives who had left previously.

An issue that has been raised regarding the accommodation of the Rohingya in the refugee camps is the sanitary and living conditions. In fact, many elderly are noted to die on the way or arrive sick to the camps. Those that are currently living in the camps are close to death for lack of sanitary drinking water and muddy living conditions.

Hope for assistance: ASEAN fund may be used to help

The atrocities committed against the Rohingya Muslims have occupied the political agenda for a couple of weeks now, and has reached peak as many world leaders called for the international community to take action during the United Nations General Assembly this week.

While Turkey has maintained the lead in providing humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya in need, as the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), accompanied by First Lady Emine Erdogan, delivered 1,000 tons of aid, lately the Philippines explained that the ASEAN trust fund may be used to help persecuted Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh.

Secretary Catalino Cuy of the Interior and Local Government, who chairs the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime, announced the move after the closing session in Manila on Thursday.

According to the Minister, the mass exodus of the Rohingya from Myanmar to Bangladesh can be categorized as irregular movement and therefore can potentially benefit from the trust fund.

Buddhist terror?

In spit of discussions surrounding the Rohingya crisis, this matter has emerged on a different extension: it is not being labelled “Buddhist terror.”

The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, highlighted this matter during a speech made at an intercultural event in New York hosted by the Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC).

While harshly criticizing the use of “Islamic terror” in world media and political discourse, the President stated that “nearly 1 million Rohingya are being subjected to genocide and are fleeing to Bangladesh,” “we never said it was Buddhists who killed them. This is indeed the case, but we never put it as such. Now I call on those who want to endear Buddhists to the world: What gives you the right to say ‘Islamic terror?”

In criticism of those labelling Daesh as an “Islamic terrorist group,” Erdogan highlighted a double standard between Islam and other faiths by asserting, “whoever kills a soul, it is as if they have killed entire humanity. This is among the principles of our faith. Nobody should dare associate Daesh with Islam or Muslims. It is a terrorist group.”

Since August 2017, the crimes taking place against the Rohingya have once again gained an international dimension.

The Rohingya, which has been described by the United Nations as the world’s most persecuted peoples, have faced heightened fears of attack from the Myanmar military and Buddhist mobs since 2012.

In latest reports, the UN has documented mass gang rapes, killings – including infants and young children – brutal beatings and disappearances committed by the security personnel.

UN investigators have also labelled such violations as crimes against humanity.

Since the beginning of the outbreak of the crisis, the government of Turkey has led the way in providing humanitarian aid to the refugees that have crossed the border to Bangladesh. Latest reports state this figure to be around nearly 400,000, while approximately 3000 Rohingya have lost their lives on their struggle to escape the violence.

After the visit by TIKA, assisted by First Lady Emine Erdogan, where 1,000 tons of aid was delivered to the Rohingya Muslims who had fled violence, President Erdogan raised the issue at the UN General Assembly claiming that the international community has remained silent once again “just like it did in Syria.”

While the de facto leader of Myanmar, Aung Sang Suu Kyi, a former Nobel Peace recipient did not attend the UN General Assembly due to increasing criticism from the international community, she said on Tuesday that her government will grant access to international observers in the conflict-hit Rakhine state.

While official statements indicate an open investigation and freedom to provide aid, the Myanmar government have reported attempts of Buddhist mobs to destroy a ship carrying aid to the displaced people in western Rakhine.

According to a press release from Suu Kyi, the riot began on Wednesday when around 50 people forced staff of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) to unload the aid from a ship at a jetty in Rakhine state capital Sittway.

8 people have been detained for interrogation after police dispersed a crowd comprising around 300 people by firing warning shots and water cannons.

US to provide aid to those displaced

While British Prime Minister Theresa May announced earlier this week that the UK government will stop providing military assistance and training to the Myanmar army, the US announced on Wednesday that it would provide nearly $32 million in humanitarian aid in order to help address the ongoing Rohingya crisis.

“The rapid influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees has stained resources and overwhelmed humanitarian agencies and local authorities,” the US State Department said in announcing the new funds.

The aid will provide a range of needed services including emergency shelter, food, water and health assistance.

Further, the statement by the State Department added that “the United States calls upon all parties to allow for unfettered humanitarian access to people in Rakhine State, Burma [Myanmar], and we also encourage other donors to join us in providing additional humanitarian assistance for those affected by the crisis.”

Total US humanitarian funding for internally displaces people in Myanmar and refugees since last October now stands at $95 million.

Since violence erupted in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the UN has stated that an approximate of 421,000 Rohingya Muslims have crossed from Myanmar to Bangladesh since August 25.

“Many of the new arrivals, who walked for days throughout jungle in intense heat and monsoon rains, are already sick and malnourished by the time they reach the teeming settlements of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh,” Joel Millman, spokesman for the UN’s International Agency for Migration (IOM) told a news conference at the UN in Geneva on Tuesday.

More than 170,000 newly arrived Rohingya refugees are yet to receive primary healthcare services Millman added.

The refugees are fleeing a fresh security operation in which security forces and Buddhist mobs have killed men, women and children, looed homes and torched Rohingya villages. According to Banglades, around 3,000 Rohingya have been killed in the crackdown.

The World Health Organization launched an urgent immunization program on Saturday to vaccinate 150,000 newly arrived children.

The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world’s most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.

Further, the international organization documented mass gang rapes, killings – including infants and young children – brutal beatings, and disappearances committed by security personnel. In a report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.

Humanitarian assistance

In response to the crimes occurring in Myanmar, the Turkish government led humanitarian assistance to Rohingya Muslims. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), with the assistance of First Lady Emine Erdogan, delivered 1,000 ton of aid to those fleeing violence.

While Turkish President Erdogan has repeatedly called for the end to the violence, he maintained his position during the 72^nd session of the UN General Assembly.

In his speech, Erdogan stated that “just like Syria, the international community has not given a good account of itself” in regards to helping Rohingya Muslims.

Erdogan continued claiming that “if this tragedy [in Myanmar] is not stopped, the history of humanity will face another dark stain.”

Further, President Erdogan claimed that the lack of international action confirmed the “relevance of the re-structure of the UN, and the Security Council,” elaborating the fact that “the world is bigger than five.”

De facto leader of Myanmar, former Nobel Peace recipient, Aung San Suu Kyi, did not attend the UN GA due to increasing criticism involving her government in an ethnic cleansing.

Diplomatic response

As a response to the increasing violence against the Rohingya, UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced that the UK will “stop all defense engagement and training of the Burmese military.”

The UK is suspending all its engagement with Myanmar’s military until the action against the country’s Muslim Rohingya minority is halted, British PM said Tuesday.

“We are very concerned about what is happening to the Rohingya people in Burma [Myanmar]. The military action against them must stop,” May told the UN GA in New York.

Noting that “too many vulnerable people” had to flee for their lives, May said: “Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese government need to make it very clear that the military action should stop.”

“The British government is announcing today that we are going to stop all defense engagement and training of the Burmese military by the Ministry of Defense until this issue is resolved,” she added.

Last year, the UK spent around £305,000 (some $412,000) as part of a training program provided to the Myanmar military on democracy, leadership and English language. The program offered by the Ministry of Defense does not include combat training.

Myanmar blocks resolution on Rohingya

Following the absence of Suu Kyi at the UN GA, the government of Myanmar also blocked a resolution at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Authored by Indonesia, the resolution “expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in the region and urged all parties to respect the rule of law, exercise maximum self-restraint and stop the ongoing violence against the Rohingya in Rakhine state.”

While governor Suu Kyi has spoken out and denied involvement of the military in the crimes against the Rohingya, questions still arise as to the reason why she is reluctant to operate with the international community.