Address causes of unrest in Rakhine
EU tells Myanmar
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT
The European Union has described the Myanmar governments announcement to establish a Commission of Inquiry into the recent violence in Rakhine State as a welcome move, saying, its work must be objective and help prevent similar events in the future while ensuring accountability for all perpetrators of violence and hatred. A statement issued by the EU spokesperson forwarded by the blocs Dhaka office yesterday also said, It remains vital that the government (of Myanmar) implements its initiatives to address the underlying causes of the situation in Rakhine State.
The EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Stavros Lambrinidis, in meetings with the State Counsellor and the Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces on 22-23 November 2016, reiterated the call for the immediate resumption of humanitarian activities and the setting up of an independent and credible investigation into both the attacks and the subsequent actions, said the statement.
As long as there is no access to the area, including by independent observers and the media, allegations and suspicions about the perpetration of severe human rights violations will continue, it said. The limited re-opening of humanitarian access to northern Rakhine State, following reassurances by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of government, is a
step in the right direction. We look forward to the swift improvement in access so that life-saving assistance can quickly and effectively reach all those in need, it added.
In the violent attacks against Border Guard Police posts in northern Rakhine State on October 9, 2016 and the ensuing security operations, both civilians and security personnel were killed and thousands of people were displaced and lost their livelihoods, said the statement. Regular humanitarian assistance has been disrupted for many weeks, putting at risk over 150,000 vulnerable people. Reports indicate a marked deterioration of the human rights situation in northern Rakhine State, it said. The statement went on to say, Fear, the loss of livelihoods and shelter, and reported disproportionate use of force by the armed forces push many, particularly women and children, to seek refuge in Bangladesh.
While recognising the long-standing solidarity and hospitality of the government and the people of Bangladesh, it is important that those fleeing violence in Myanmar are not deported or turned back, it said.
By providing assistance and protection to them until the situation in northern Rakhine State has stabilised and their safe return can be ensured, the Bangladeshi authorities will continue to contribute to stability in the region, it added.
The statement described peace and national reconciliation in Myanmar as critical, saying, The escalating fighting in Kachin and northern Shan states over the recent months has resulted in casualties and internal displacement of several thousand civilians. Humanitarian access to the conflict-affected areas has also been restricted, preventing aid from reaching affected communities. Continued fighting undermines trust and confidence in the peace process, it said. The signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement by eight ethnic armed groups and the holding of the Union Peace Conference 21st Century Panglong were important milestones on the path towards national reconciliation, said the statement.
Work must now focus on improving the inclusiveness of the process, including the participation of all armed groups, of women and of civil society. The European Union stands ready to explore further assistance in this context, it said.
