ASEAN body asks for arms embargo on Myanmar

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) Wednesday laid stress on imposing arms embargo and targeted sanctions on Myanmar and its senior officials respectively to create a safe environment for returning of Rohingyas to their homeland from Bangladesh.

“I think it’s time to impose an arms embargo on the Myanmar army, including targeted sanctions against the generals who are behind these atrocities,” said APHR chairperson and Malaysian MP Charles Santiago.

He also sought a role from India, China and Russia who sell arms to Myanmar, reports UNB.

Addressing a press conference in a city hotel, chief of the APHR fact-finding mission said it is their [India, China and Russia’s] arms and bombs which are being used against Rohingyas.

Santiago also sought steps to deploy peacekeeping force to oversee the movement of Rohingyas.

He said Rohingyas should be consulted in repatriation process and they should be given clear idea about the content of the deal between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

“Rohingyas are nowhere in discussion. They should be given a clear idea about the repatriation agreement and its content,” Santiago said.

He said without presence of peacekeeping force repatriation will be difficult, in other words, he said, it will be almost impossible. “Repatriation should be safe and voluntary.”

The APHR chairperson urged the members of ASEAN member countries to exert pressure on Myanmar to resolve the crisis.

“It’s no more a Myanmar issue, it’s a regional issue now having impact on ASEAN countries. It has become an ASEAN problem,” he said mentioning various dimensions of the issue including security risk in the region.

Sharing their experience, he said Rohingyas want to get back their citizenship before they return to Myanmar.

“It’s chilling. It’s absolutely shocking. Something must be done,” the APHR chairperson said sharing his horrific tales of tortures the Rohingya people faced.

Singaporean MP Louis Ng and former Thai MP Rachada Dhnadirek also spoke at the press briefing.

“It’s really painful. These stories should be shared throughout the world. All should speak up for Rohingyas,” Louis said in an emotional voice.

The APHR completed its four-day fact-finding mission on Wednesday through sharing their findings and placing recommendations.

In the midst of proposed repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar, lawmakers from ASEAN countries came to Bangladesh to assess the situation, potential regional responses, and what is needed to push their governments and the wider international community into action.

During the mission, MPs have visited the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar and met with a wide variety of stakeholders, including from the parliament and government.

They also met UN special envoy on Myanmar Yanghee Lee and discussed the overall situation.

The lawmakers shared their observations from the mission, as well as recommendations for what ASEAN and regional governments can do to address the crisis and promote sustainable long-term solutions that respect the rights of Rohingya refugees.

Earlier on 16 January, Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a document on ‘Physical Arrangement’ which will facilitate return of Rohingays to their homeland from Bangladesh.

The ‘Physical Arrangement’ stipulates that the repatriation would be completed preferably within two years from the commencement of repatriation.

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has said the necessary safeguards, as of today, for potential Rohingya returnees are absent, and there are continued restrictions on access for aid agencies, the media and other independent observers.

At the same time, refugees from Rakhine State continue to arrive in Bangladesh, it said.

“UNHCR remains prepared to work with both governments towards finding a long-term solution to this crisis in the interest of the refugees themselves, of both governments, the host community in Bangladesh and all communities in Rakhine State,” UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday.