Penalty for genocide: it’s time to boycott Myanmar
In the last two and a half months, there have been many high-profile open letters calling for action on the Rohingya genocide (although none of them used the “G” word).
Five notable examples were an appeal for UN action signed by 96 non-governmental organisations, a call for targeted US sanctions by 58 NGOs, a call for a special session of the UN Human Rights Council made by 36 NGOs, a plea for a guarantee of safe refugee return made by 15 NGOs; and a call for protection of civilians in Rakhine state made by 108 NGOs.
None of these letters achieved anything. The genocide is still in progress. I wonder if in retrospect the signers think it was worth the effort. Maybe they were just participating for show.
Last week, Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) said no fewer than 9,000 Rohingya had died in Rakhine state between August 25 and September 24, at least 6,700 of them killed. Among that number were a minimum of 730 children below the age of five.
There is one way for the NGOs to help end the Rohingya genocide and ensure the safe return of the refugees. They should all sign a letter calling for a global boycott of Myanmar by international companies active in the country, including on its exports and tourism industry. This, unlike their letters, will command worldwide attention. The Myanmar regime, with Aung San Suu Kyi at its head, would wilt in the face of such action.
After a military intervention, economic boycotts are the greatest means of pressure that can be applied.
Unfortunately, though, this won’t happen. First and foremost the NGOs have to protect their funding, and their officials their pay. Most funders, in turn, back the policy of the international community: 1. There is no genocide. 2. Myanmar is a sovereign state and can do anything it wants. 3. Time to exploit!
I have no doubt that the leaders of many smaller NGOs would be happy to join a boycott. Isn’t there one well-recognised organisation out there which will lead the way? (Isn’t stopping the genocide and protecting the Rohingya worth the career risk?)
Roland Watson
(www.dictatorwatch.org)
