February 14,
2018
New York, 13 Feb
— The United Nations Security Council held a briefing session regarding the
situation in Myanmar at its Chamber in New York on 13 February 2018. At the
session, U Hau Do Suan, Permanent Representative/Ambassador of Myanmar
delivered a statement at the Council on the Government’s efforts on restoration
of rule of law, peace and stability, preparation for repatriation of displaced
persons from Rakhine State, and implementation of the Rakhine Advisory
Commission recommendations. Some salient points of his statement are as
follows:
– Myanmar has
been cooperating with the United Nations in its efforts to alleviate the
current humanitarian problems and to achieve its objective of sustainable
solution to the issue of Rakhine State.
– Myanmar and
Bangladesh have made significant progress in their bilateral efforts for repatriation
of displaced persons. Myanmar will draw on the services of the UNHCR as needed
and at the appropriate time.
– Myanmar has
already provided Bangladesh with information relating to the resettlement plan,
provision of livelihood assistance, access to basic services, and safety
arrangements for verified returnees.
– Myanmar is
ready to receive the first group of returnees and will continue to work in
close consultation and cooperation with Bangladesh for the voluntary, safe and
dignified repatriation of the displaced persons in accordance with the
bilateral agreement.
– In recent
days, members of the Diplomatic Corps and representatives of the UN Agencies
including UNHCR, WFP, FAO and World Bank, have been given access to Maungtaw
area to observe preparation for repatriation and the situation on the ground.
The Government has also arranged day-trips to Rakhine State for the Diplomatic
Corps and UN agencies residing in Myanmar in three groups in February.
– The Minister
for Home Affairs of Myanmar will visit Bangladesh on 15 February to discuss
with his counterpart on matters relating to cooperation in repatriation as well
as to find solution to the problem of people stranded on Zero line of the
border.
– The Government
has the primary responsibility to protect its own people. As lives in the
affected areas return to normalcy, the police forces have largely taken over
security responsibility in most part of Maungtaw District. Although no major
clashes with the terrorists have been reported in the past six months, there is
always a threat of ARSA terrorists who are taking refuge among innocent
peoples. They will take every opportunity to undermine law and order and public
security. They will not hesitate to use their brutal tactics of intimidation
and killing innocent people who want peaceful life and living in harmony with
other communities in Rakhine. The recent media reports on the killing of two
camp leaders from refugee camps in Bangladesh sent a warning to those who want
to return to their villages.
– On
humanitarian assistance, the Government and the Union Enterprise have been
providing food and household needs to all communities in Rakhine States in
addition to building infrastructures and business activities for economic
development of the region. The Red Cross Movement and the ASEAN Coordinating
Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) are
actively participating in the Government-led mechanism to deliver humanitarian
assistance in affected areas.
– An Advisory
Board headed by Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, former Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand was formed to provide external
perspective and advice to the Committee for the Implementation of
recommendations on Rakhine State.
– Concerning
allegations of human rights violations, the Government of Myanmar has always
made its position clear that it will not condone any action of abuse. If there
is concrete evidence, action will be taken against the transgressor in
accordance with the law no matter whom or what he is.
– With regard to
the Reuters report in December last year on the finding of 10 bodies in a
cemetery in Inn Din, Maungtaw, the Tatmadaw has already formed a high level
enquiry team and conducted investigation on the incident. It was found out that
10 ARSA members were arrested by the security forces on 1 September 2017 soon
after the terrorist attacks on 25 August. The next day, on 2 September they
were executed and buried in the village cemetery without handing over to the
Police. Therefore, actions are being taken against 16 individuals including
army and police officers and some villagers who had acted in violation of
standard operating procedures and rules of engagement. This action of the
Tatmadaw is a positive step forward in taking responsibility and deserves
encouragement.
– Achieving
durable peace, harmony and development in Rakhine State is contingent upon the
nation-wide peace and the success of democratic transition of Myanmar. The
greatest national endeavour for Myanmar today is to forge a lasting peace.
– Without peace
and stability and rule of law, the country will not be able to realize its
ultimate goal of building a genuine democratic federal union which will
guarantee security, freedom and progress for all the people.
– On 13 of
February, 2 ethnic armed groups, namely New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Lahu
Democratic Union (LDU) have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in
Nay Pyi Taw, bringing the total NCA signatories to 10.
– The current
humanitarian crisis is the consequence of terrorist attacks against security
posts. It was a clear present threat to the security, sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Myanmar. It is not a religious issue as some people
are trying to portray. The majority of Muslims living in other parts across
Myanmar have been living peacefully and in harmony with other people of
different faiths throughout history.
– The challenges
facing Rakhine State has no easy quick fix. Ultimately, it is up to the people
of Myanmar to determine how to achieve a peaceful and prosperous Rakhine State.
– Myanmar
welcomes constructive cooperation from the international community. Myanmar
should not become hostage of the one-sided media and activists in policy making
process. Important judgment and policy decision should be based on careful
examination of the information.
Ref; The Global
New Light of Myanmar
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