IHRC worried over anti-Rohingya propaganda in Myanmar

The Islamic Human Rights Commission has expressed deep concern over increasing propaganda against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, warning that a third wave of massacre against the Muslims is feared.

“We are extremely concerned about the increase in propaganda against the minority Rohingya in Burma. It suggests that there is a high possibility of a third massacre against the Muslim minority,” the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) said in a statement on its official website on Wednesday.

IHRC chief, Massoud Shadjareh warned that a “hidden genocide” was under way in Burma, adding, “We must speak out before even more of the Rohingya are murdered,” he said.

The statement criticized the international community for remaining silent in the face of murder and displacement of the Myanmar Muslims. It said more than 120,000 people have been displaced since June 2012.

The body said the Muslims were facing “internal trade embargoes, racist propaganda and constant threats of violence.”

Earlier in the day, Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned the shooting of fleeing Rohingya Muslims by Thailand’s navy, urging the Thai government to launch an immediate investigation into the deadly shooting.

It said in a report that Thai sailors opened fire on a group of 20 Rohingya asylum seekers off the coast of Phang Nga Province on February 22, as they jumped into the water to escape custody. Two people were killed in the shooting.

Myanmar’s government refuses to recognize Rohingya Muslims as citizens and labels the minority of about 800,000 as “illegal” immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh.