Kudos to Gambia for accusing Myanmar of Rohingya genocide

Our readers have their say on the Rohingya genocide, the need for stable governance in Iraq and how flexible working hours could help new mothers

FILE PHOTO: Rohingya refugees pray at a gathering mark the second anniversary of their exodus from Myanmar, at the Kutupalong camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, August 25, 2019. REUTERS/Rafiqur Rahman/File Photo
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This is with reference to Haneen Dajani's article UAE-backed project bringing light to lives of Rohingya refugees (October 18): on behalf of the ethnic Rohingya around the world, I thank the government of Gambia for filing a case against Myanmar on November 11 at the International Court of Justice for violating the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention.

This will pave the way for justice for the survivors of the Rohingya genocide.

The filing of the case at the ICJ by a small country like Gambia must encourage countries such as the US, UK, Canada and France to take similar action.

We regret that Aung San Suu Kyi, as a Nobel Prize winner who fought for human rights and democracy, will defend Myanmar against the genocide accusation. We regret that Ms Suu Kyi has forgotten how much the Rohingya fought for her freedom and the rest of the political prisoners from her party. We also regret that she has turned a blind eye towards the Rohingya genocide.

Zafar Ahmad Bin Abdul Ghani,

Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation Malaysia

Iraqi citizens deserve stable governance and security

With regard to your story Thirteen protesters killed in southern Iraq as turmoil intensifies (November 24): the coverage of the turmoil in the oil-rich nation of Iraq has been extensive. The number of protesters killed has increased.

The attack by the security forces is not justifiable and the Human Rights Commission has a moral and official responsibility to investigate the matter.

It is high time that a stable government is appointed in the country and the people given an assurance of good governance.

The basic needs of the people must be met.

But we will have to wait and see whether Iraq’s future takes a good turn or whether these atrocities continue much longer.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

More flexible working hours could help new mothers manage better

Regarding the article UAE's nanny culture a factor in mental health problems, expert says (November 25), overall holistic health and wellbeing is the culmination of factors and no single factor should be viewed in isolation.

For women and new mothers, improved maternity options, flexible working hours and part-time opportunities are just some of the factors that would help them and could be a start and a way to avoid the dependence on nannies in the early stages of a newborn’s life.

Louise Phillips, Dubai