Silence too steep a price: Desmond Tutu writes to Suu Kyi, urges her to intervene in Rohingya crisis

The exodus of Rohingya Muslims from Rakhine state in Myanmar has brought waves of international criticism for Myanmar’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

South Africa’s outspoken Archbishop Desmond Tutu joined the growing chorus of influential voices condemning Aung San Suu Kyi over the Myanmar government’s treatment of its Rohingya Muslims and urging her to intervene in the crisis.

Moroccans, some of them holding placards depicting Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, take part in a protest condemning a crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, on September 8, 2017, in Rabat. (AFP Photo)

The United Nations on Thursday said that nearly 164,000 Rohingya have escaped to Bangladesh over the past two weeks in the wake of a massive security sweep and alleged atrocities by the country’s security forces and Buddhist mobs against the Rohingya.

“I am now elderly, decrepit and formally retired, but breaking my vow to remain silent on public affairs out of profound sadness,” he writes in an open letter to his ‘beloved younger sister’ Suu Kyi that was posted on social media.

Suu Kyi, feted for her years of peaceful opposition to Myanmar’s junta rulers, has been urged to speak up for the Rohingya, with Muslim nations and the UN leading condemnation of her government.

Tutu, who helped dismantle apartheid in South Africa and became the moral voice of the nation, joined in the condemnation on Thursday.

“It is incongruous for a symbol of righteousness to lead such a country; it is adding to our pain,” he said noting that “the images we are seeing of the suffering of the Rohingya fill us with pain and dread.”

“As we witness the unfolding horror we pray for you to be courageous and resilient again... for you to speak out for justice, human rights and the unity of your people,” said Tutu.