Myanmar should start repatriating Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh, and it must ensure that they return to a society where there is security, peace, justice and better prospects for everyone, said Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
“The next step has to be repatriation, since there was an agreement signed between Myanmar and Bangladesh, in fact, in November last year,” Dr Balakrishnan said.
“At some point, in order to remain credible, you have to see some movement… on a voluntary basis; you need to see that they are able to move back in a dignified, safe manner. That’s the next step and it’s an important confidence-building step,” he told Singapore media in New York on Saturday.
“But we also have to be cognisant that the long-term solution is a political solution,” he said.
Without that underlying foundation, it would not be possible to solve the Rakhine state problem which has been around for about 21/2 centuries, he added.
The key point made to Myanmar at an Asean meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York was that “we stand ready to help”, said Dr Balakrishnan.
And the important step next is that the refugees are repatriated in a safe and dignified manner, which needs to occur soon.
Right now, there are a million people suffering. There’s a humanitarian disaster… unacceptable in this day and age.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh
“Asean will work with Myanmar to facilitate this process,” he said. “This is something we will have to watch in the next few weeks, next few months.”
Asean supported the Independent Commission of Enquiry (COE) established by the Government of Myanmar on July 30 to collect evidence of serious international crimes committed in Myanmar.
“We expect this inquiry to be conducted impartially, expeditiously, independently – and hold people who are responsible fully accountable,” Dr Balakrishnan said.
But he also urged focus on the humanitarian crisis.
“Right now, there are a million people suffering. There’s a humanitarian disaster… unacceptable in this day and age,” he said. “These people need help and we have to make sure humanitarian assistance reaches them.” – NIRMAL GHOSH