Myanmar Permanent Representative to the United Nations delivers a Statement at Security Council on Government’s efforts in Rakhine State

Myanmar News Agency
Date: February 15, 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.

Source: Myanmar News Agency