October 3, 2017
Mr President,
I thank you for
the opportunity to address the Security Council with regard to the turmoil that
has recently befallen Myanmar’s Rakhine State and the ensuing humanitarian
situation.
I have listened
carefully to the statements made by the distinguished Secretary-General and the
representatives of the member states of the Council.
The common
thread that runs through the commentaries is the allusion that “something is
rotten in the state of Rakhine”. Assertions in the media that a campaign of
terror has been unleashed in Northern Rakhine and that unspeakable crimes have
been committed against innocent people have only served to heighten the concern
of the international community. While such assertions might appear reasonable
at first glance to a lay observer, expert observers with knowledge of the
history of Myanmar and exposure to the propaganda tactics of terrorists will
see such comments for what they really are – malicious and unsubstantiated
chatter.
Nevertheless, we
understand the concern of the international community and take serious note of
it.
Mr President,
I would like to
take this opportunity to apprise you of the situation obtaining on the ground
and of our efforts to end the violence, assist all innocent civilians affected
by the turmoil and plans to find a lasting solution to the daunting challenges
we face.
First, we
recognize that there is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
But we need to
recognize that the recent violence was triggered by the attacks carried out by
so-called ARSA terrorist group. We are committed to a sustainable solution that
will lead to peace, stability, development and the return of displaced
communities to their homes.
The current
situation precipitated by the attacks of the ARSA terrorists on 30 police
outposts in the early hours of 25 August resulting in the death of 12 security
officers, one immigration officer, one soldiers and a number of innocent
civilians. Security forces were obliged to defend themselves.
We feel deeply
for the suffering and plight of all affected communities – Rakhine, Muslim,
Daingnet, Mro, Thet, Maramagyi and Hindu. They are all victims of violence and
terrorism.
Terrorism
constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and
security. It has no place in our civilized world. I am sure you will agree with
me when I say that we cannot condone terrorism in any form and manifestation.
The government
of Myanmar has strongly condemned the acts of terror committed by ARSA in
northern Rakhine. The highest Islamic organization in Myanmar, the “All Myanmar
Islamic Religious Organization” as well as the “Interfaith Dialogue Group of Myanmar”
have expressed their solidarity with the government and issued statements
condemning the acts of terror committed by ARSA. They stressed that no religion
can condone violence that result in the loss of life and property. They
expressed their support for the government’s efforts to address the situation
in Rakhine and its endeavors to promote national reconciliation and peace in
the entire country.
The government
will work to ensure that the fight against terrorism will not distract us from
our commitment to bring peace, harmony and development to Rakhine State. It is
striving to restore normalcy. There have been no armed clashes and clearance
operations since September 5.
Second, I wish
to stress that there is no ethnic cleansing and genocide in Myanmar.
Ethnic cleansing
and genocide are serious charges and that they should not be used lightly. It
would be a sad commentary of our times if we allowed emotions to cloud our view
and assert that what is happening in Rakhine is ethnic cleansing without first
undertaking a legal review and making a judicial determination. I can assure
you that the leaders of Myanmar, who have been struggling so long for freedom
and human rights, will never espouse policy of genocide or ethnic cleansing and
the government will do everything to prevent it.
As clearly
stated by the State Counsellor in her address to the diplomatic corps in Nay
Pyi Taw on 19 September, we condemn all human rights violation and violence. We
are committed to the restoration of peace, stability and rule of law throughout
the state. Security forces have been instructed to adhere strictly to the Code
of Conduct in carrying out security operations, to exercise all due restraint,
and to take full measures to avoid collateral damage and the harming of innocent
civilians.
Myanmar is one
of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. It is home to 135
officially recognized ethnic groups, each with its own distinctive culture and
adherence to a variety of religious, including Buddhism, Islam, Christianity
and Hinduism Religious groups have been living in harmony throughout our
history. The situation that we face today is due to terrorism and is not based
on religion.
It should be
noted that Muslims are not a minority in northern Rakhine. They constiture 95%
of the total population. What is little known is that the vast majority of
Muslims did not abandon their health and home. While there have been an exodus,
more than 50% of the Muslim villages in northern Rakhine remain intact.
Representatives
of the diplomatic crops in Yangon, accompanied by the media, will visit
northern Rakhine on Monday. They will have the opportunity to witness firsthand
the situation on the ground.
I am happy to
affirm that the government of Myanmar has invited the Secretary General and the
Under Secretary General to visit Myanmar. We hope to welcome them in the near
future to enhance cooperation between Myanmar and the United Nations.
Third, the
government of Myanmar is fully aware of its primary responsibility to address
the humanitarian situation.
We have been
providing assistance to all displaced people without discrimination. We are
collaborating with the Red Cross Movement and donor countries to provide
assistance expeditiously in accordance with humanitarian principles. The ASEAN
Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA
Centre) has agreed to work with us to deliver humanitarian assistance to all
displaced persons.
Fourth, we are
concerned by reports that thousands of people have crossed into Bangladesh. We
would like to fathom reasons for the exodus. We will talk to those who have
fled as well as to those who have opted to remain in their villages.
Recently, some
hundreds of Muslim villagers left their homes and headed towards the border
notwithstanding the efforts of the regional authorities to persuade them to
return to their villages. The villagers voiced their concerns regarding the
availability of humanitarian assistance in a sustained manner as well as fears
that they are becoming a minority in their own area.
It is learnt
that the villagers have been threatened over the telephone and that they have
been persuaded by their fellow men who are already in Bangladesh to join
them.Moreover, the villagers remain fearful of retaliation by the ARSA
following the revelation that a large number of Hindu villagers have been
massacred and buried in mass graves.
The authorities
have reassured the villagers that they would be provided assistance and
security. However, some have chosen to cross over to Bangladesh.
There has been a
growing clam our for repatriation of refugees who have fled from Myanmar to
Bangladesh. I would like to stress here Myanmar is prepared to start the
verification process at any time. Our two neighbors have had the experience of
such a repatriation process in 1993.
We are working
to enhance relations with Bangladesh. I have met with the Foreign Minister of
Bangladesh here in New York last week. The Minister of the Office of the State
Counsellor will visit Dhaka this weekend to further discuss matters of mutual
concern and to find ways and means to move ahead. We have also invited the
Minister of Home Affairs of Bangladesh. We will welcome him any time that he is
able to come to Myanmar and hope to take forward our cooperation on border
security matters.
Our stated
willingness to discuss the issue of repatriation gives the lie to the assertion
that there is a policy of ethnic cleansing on our part.
Mr. President
The new
government in Myanmar inherited a challenging situation in Rakhine State and
has had to deal with the consequences of actions by other actors.
The current
crisis is due to the acts of terror perpetrated by ARSA. To address the
situation, the government launched a number of initiatives including the
Rakhine Advisory Commission chaired by Dr. Kofi Annan. The recommendation of
the Kofi Annan Commission represents a viable roadmap to forge forward.
An
implementation committee for the recommendations has already been formed and
work is in progress. Two meetings have already been held. We must give this
committee time and space.
At this critical
juncture in the life of our young democracy, it is imperative that the
international community join hands with us to ensure that democracy takes firm
root and that we will succeed in carrying out our responsibility to establish
peace, stability, and development in Rakhine and in the whole of Myanmar. That
is only way we can solve the Rakhine conundrum.
The Security
Council must refrain from taking measures that exacerbate rather than alleviate
the situation. It can and must do no less.
Thank you.
Ref; The Global
New Light of Myanmar
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