Asean ministers express concern over Rohingya crisis
Asean’s foreign ministers, who have gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly, have expressed their concern over the Rakhine crisis and directed their support to Aung San Suu Kyi’s government to bring peace and stability to the conflict-laden region.
The group condemned the militant attack against the government security forces and the acts of violence on August 25, which killed scores of people, including insurgents and officials.
The violence and the Myanmar military’s “clearance operation” have displaced more than 420,000 people, mostly Muslim Rohingya who have fled to the Bangladesh border.
In a statement issued after their meeting on Saturday (local time in New York), the Asean foreign ministers strongly urged all the parties involved to avoid actions that will further worsen the situation on the ground.
They agreed that viable, long-term solutions to the root causes of the conflict must be found, including encouraging closer dialogue between Myanmar and Bangladesh, so that the affected communities can rebuild their lives.
They also underscored the importance of increased humanitarian access to the affected areas and said that assistance be given to all affected communities.
The Asean ministers also supported Myanmar’s humanitarian relief programme.
The Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) will work with the Myanmar Government-led body, which will deliver humanitarian assistance to all displaced inhabitants without discrimination.
The foreign ministers urged Myanmar to continue to implement the recommendations of the final report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State led by former UN chief Kofi Annan.
They welcomed Myanmar’s establishment of a ministerial committee to implement the recommendations.