At the 37th ASEAN Summit, those attending must ensure an explicit focus on addressing the underlying drivers of the boat crisis. ASEAN is not putting the views and wishes of the Rohingya community in Bangladesh and the larger diaspora at the forefront of decision-making, but rather, are definitively prioritizing the geopolitical considerations of Myanmar and Bangladesh over those who have suffered genocide. The heads of state and government of Asean member countries gathered in Bangkok for the 35th Asean Summit on November 2-3. The Rohingya situation in Myanmar is a domestic humanitarian crisis with larger implications for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the world. It remains unclear what “relocation sites” refer to. Regarding the ASEAN statement's condemnation of attacks by Rohingya militants' against Myanmar security forces on Aug. 25, Anifah said Malaysia does too, but it recognizes that the Myanmar military's crackdown have been "disproportionate," leading to the "deaths of many innocent civilians" and causing the mass exodus to Bangladesh. Asean leaders have reiterated the need to find a comprehensive and durable solution to the Rohingya crisis by addressing the root causes of the conflict in Rakhine State. The Rohingya crisis has divided members of ASEAN. To guarantee the safety of Rohingya refugees who voluntarily … In the report, ASEAN and Myanmar agreed that a comprehensive feasibility assessment is further required. They laid emphasis on the efforts to create a “conducive environment” so that Rohingyas, now sheltered in Bangladesh, could rebuild their Southeast Asian leaders held back from collectively demanding that Myanmar provide citizenship for Rohingyas even as some member nations sought more rights for … ASEAN's Muslim-majority members - Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei - tend to take the toughest line on the Rohingya question, while Myanmar has close regional allies in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. The ASEAN report states, “It is evident that efforts have been made by the Government of Myanmar to facilitate a smooth repatriation process.”. Repatriation at this moment is refoulement. People cannot “test” out repatriation. Dato' Saifuddin bin Abdullah, Minister of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia, chaired the Meeting, and H.E. ASEAN cannot be trusted with Rohingya repatriation. But repatriation continues to face formidable obstacles. DHAKA, Bangladesh. It was not clear if all members of the grouping would back the sternest statement to date from ASEAN on the Rakhine issue. The Rohingya exodus has re-emerged as a point of concern for Southeast Asia since late April 2015. This must include more forthright dialogue with the Government of Myanmar to end long standing discrimination against Rohingya and ensuring the implementation of the Rakhine Advisory Commission recommendations. 1) The report uses the term ‘Muslim’ rather than Rohingya. / Myanmar State Counselor’s Office. As the ASEAN team has only conducted a preliminary feasibility assessment at certain locations and with evidence and testimony from a handful of people, safety for Rohingya people is far from guaranteed. Thursday, November 12, 2020. Duterte’s determination to protect his drug war from scrutiny and criticism has left ASEAN … Some Rohingya Documentary Videos: Please watch and share. 2) There is ongoing fighting between the Arakan Army and Myanmar military. However, they continued to state that the assessment would occur, It remains unclear what “relocation sites” refer to. Yuriko Cowper-Smith – ycowpers@uoguelph.ca. The comments indicate ASEAN’s – Bangladesh’s – desire to prevent the Rohingya refugee camps becoming a permanent fixture. However, they continued to state that the assessment would occur following the repatriation of some people. The Foreign Ministers of ASEAN expressed concern over the recent developments in Northern Rakhine State of Myanmar and extended their deepest condolences to all the victims and affected communities of the conflict. Indonesia’s statement comes amid concerns that local authorities were mulling over whether to send the refugees out to sea after their boat repairs. Charter of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, High Level Task Force (HLTF) on the Drafting of the ASEAN Charter (2007), Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on the ASEAN Charter (2006), ASEAN Committees in Third Countries and International Organizations (ACTCs), Speeches & Statements of the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Speeches & Statements of the Former Secretaries-General of ASEAN, ASEAN Chairman’s Statement on The Humanitarian Situation in Rakhine State. There are no quick fixes… The biggest mistake would be to assume that the problem is a “Rohingya crisis”. The sanitizing and whitewashing of the genocide in ASEAN report is troubling because it calls into question the competency of those who conducted the feasibility assessment.