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US diplomat quits Rohingya refugee panel, slams Suu Kyi
Washington, Jan 25 (IANS) Veteran US diplomat Bill Richardson has quit an international panel set up by Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi to advise on the Rohingya refugee crisis, calling it a “cheerleading squad for government policy” that fails to address the problem.
In a scathing statement released on Thursday, former US ambassador to the UN Richardson claimed the panel was a “whitewash” and accused Myanmar’s state counsellor Suu Kyi of lacking “moral leadership” on the issue, CNN reported.
The advisory board on Rakhine state was created in 2017 to help the government implement the recommendations of a fact-finding commission helmed by former UN Secretary-Genera Kofi Annan.
“It appears that the board is likely to become a cheerleading squad for government policy as opposed to proposing genuine policy changes that are desperately needed to assure peace, stability and development in Rakhine state,” Richardson said.
Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay told CNN: “We are very sorry about Richardson’s resignation.” He denied accusations that Suu Kyi believed there was a concerted international effort against Myanmar.
More than 700,000 Muslim Rohingyas fled to neighbouring Bangladesh last year in the face of a military crackdown and widespread reports of military-backed mass rape, murder and the burning down of entire villages.
The UN and the US labelled the violence against the mainly Muslim Rohingyas as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing”.
Richardson said “the main reason I am resigning is that this advisory board is a whitewash”.
The diplomat, who has supported Suu Kyi since she was put under house arrest by the Myanmar military junta, was “very upset” at the Nobel Peace Prize laureate’s attitude during a board meeting on January 22.
“In the advisory board’s initial meeting with (Suu Kyi), I was taken aback by the vigour with which the media, the UN, human rights groups and in general the international community were disparaged,” he said.
“While it is important to recognize that the military still wields significant power and that they are primarily to blame for the recent exodus of refugees in the wake of (Rohingya militant group) ARSA attacks, the absence of (Suu Kyi’s) moral leadership on this critical issue is of great concern.”
He also denounced the board’s apparent lack of sincerity towards the issue as well as Suu Kyi’s “furious response” to his suggestions regarding the two journalists who were detained while investigating the crisis in Rakhine state.
The diplomat, one of the five foreigners on the 10-member committee, also criticized the lack of commitment of the Chairman of the Advisory Board, Surakiart Sathirathai from Thailand, and his “general desire to avoid the real issues at the risk of confronting our Myanmar hosts”.
The Myanmar military denies committing human rights abuses in Rakhine. The country does not recognise Rohingyas as citizens and considers them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
–IANS
soni/mr
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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