The European Parliament (EP), a body of 751 directly elected members from 28 countries belonging to the European Union (EU), is most likely to adopt another resolution to put pressure on the Myanmar government to resolve the Rohingya crisis implementing the recommendations of the Annan Commission, diplomatic sources have told The Independent. As part of the preparations of adopting the resolution, four teams comprising 11 Members of European Parliament (MEP) is visiting Bangladesh to have a better understanding of the situation, they said.
Out of these four teams — parliament’s delegation for relations with South Asia, delegation for relations with Southeast Asia and countries belonging to ASEAN of which Myanmar is a member, subcommittee on human rights and committee on foreign affairs – already arrived in Cox’s Bazar yesterday, said the sources.
And, three other teams will arrive in the capital today in the morning and will directly go to Cox’s Bazar to visit the Rohingya camps to interact with the persecuted community that now comprises more than 10 lakh (1 million), they said, adding that the MEPs will also have series of meetings with local government administrations, international organisations and NGOs working on the ground.
On Tuesday, all the teams but the one for the relations with South Asia will leave for Myanmar from Cox’s Bazar via Dhaka.
The team of South Asian delegation will remain in Dhaka till Thursday.
While in Dhaka, the MEPs will hold discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda and others. The team was scheduled to meet BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, now in jail in connection with a graft case. “I understand the European Parliament will adopt a resolution after their return from
Bangladesh and Myanmar,” a senior foreign ministry official said.
When asked what effect any resolution might have on the Myanmar government, he said that as they are directly elected people’s representatives, the EU executive branch will feel the pressure to do more to compel the government in Naypyitaw.
Another diplomat said that this resolution will be tougher than the previous one adopted by the EP on September 14, 2017.
In it’s resolution, the parliament called upon the military and security forces in Myanmar to immediately cease the killings, harassment and rape of the Rohingya people, and the burning of their homes.
“The Myanmar authorities have a duty to protect, without discrimination, all civilians from abuse and to grant immediate access to humanitarian aid organisations to all conflict-ridden areas and displaced people” , stated the parliament in a resolution titled ‘Myanmar, in particular the situation of Rohingyas’.
Taking part in the debate, high representative/vice-president of the European Union Federica Mogherini said, “Let me start by stating clearly one thing that the European Union has condemned the attacks of 25 August by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, as well as the violence that followed in Northern Rakhine State. And we believe that perpetrators must be brought to justice in line with the rule of law.”
“But let me also state as clearly as what I just stated that we are very much aware and concerned about the excesses during the security operations conducted by Myanmar’s security forces. This has led to a massive flow of refugees into Bangladesh – one of the most terrible refugee crises of our time.
“This situation is completely unacceptable and risks destabilising the wider region,” she added. “The recommendations of the final report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, headed by Kofi Annan, are our point of reference. The Government of Myanmar has committed itself to take this report forward and I have personally discussed this issue with Aung San Suu Kyi [State Counsellor and Leader of the National League for Democracy of Myanmar] during her visit to Brussels just a few months ago,” said the high representative.
Recommendations include the issue of discrimination, poverty alleviation, the assurance of basic rights, equal access to education and social services, as well as the promotion of trust and reconciliation, she said.
“The time to implement the Annan report is now because we are seeing what the people of Rakhine are facing and they cannot wait any longer. We are ready to support the implementation of these recommendations in all possible ways,” she added.