Dhaka, Aug 23 (UNB) - The South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE), a regional civil society network encompassing all the eight countries of South Asia, has condemned the sectarian violence in Myanmar targeting Rohingya Muslims and called for an immediate end to this human rights violation.

In a statement issued from Kathmandu on Thursday, SAAPE said the long-drawn struggle of the Rohingya people for their rights is currently exacerbated by the state-sponsored programme, an attempt of ethnic cleansing by the government of a community which comprises approximately 25 percent of the population residing in the Rakhine state.

The Rohingyas have been continuously fighting against the persecution, discrimination and marginalisation by the state who has denied them citizenship rights to date.

SAAPE urged the government of Myanmar to immediately stop the ongoing violence which has not only claimed countless lives of the Rohingyas but also rendered them refugees, with women and children bearing the brunt of this grave humanitarian crisis.

The Myanmar government must grant citizenship rights to Rohingyas, truly demonstrating democratic practice and principles to its people.

SAAPE also urged the government of Bangladesh to provide asylum to the Rohingyas fleeing the persecution.

SAAPE demanded an immediate stepping up of aid efforts to Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar and requested Bangladesh to take necessary steps to provide immediate relief with assistance from international aid groups.

SAAPE also called upon the international community to raise their voice against this brutal act and use their leverage for an immediate and just solution to the ongoing crisis.