Clare Daly
Question:255. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the military crackdown on the Rohingya minority in Myanmar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40528/16]
View answerFriday, 16 December 2016
Questions (255)
Written answers
As I noted in Parliamentary Question No. 137 on 14 December 2016, the Government welcomes the democratic transition which is currently underway in Myanmar/Burma following elections in November 2015, and the positive steps that the new Government of Myanmar/Burma has taken in pursuit of peace and reconciliation, democratic reforms and economic growth. However we are concerned about the recent violence in Rakhine State, which began when attacks were carried out against Border Guard Police posts on 9 October 2016. Security operations led by the Myanmar Armed Forces in response to those attacks. Both civilians and security personnel have been killed with thousands of people displaced or losing their livelihoods. Regular humanitarian assistance has been severely disrupted for many weeks and there are reports of a significant deterioration in the human rights situation in northern Rakhine State, including allegations of disproportionate action by the Myanmar Armed Forces.
On December 9, Ireland through its Embassy in Bangkok, which is accredited to Myanmar/Burma, joined a number of likeminded diplomatic missions there in a statement which expressed serious concerns about humanitarian aid access to the region. The statement also addressed the recent attacks against security personnel in Rakhine State and allegations of abuse in the subsequent security operations. We urged the security forces in Myanmar/Burma to ensure protection of all civilians. The creation of an Investigation Commission offers an important opportunity to investigate these incidents and allegations objectively and transparently, as well as expose acts of violence and abuse.
The Government regularly highlights its concerns regarding conflict in Rakhine State and the minority Rohingya people at bilateral level and in the context of our membership of the EU and the UN.
The third EU-Myanmar Human Rights Dialogue took place in Myanmar/Burma on November 22. At the meeting, the EU similarly expressed concerns about the recent security and human rights situation in northern Rakhine state, reiterating calls for an independent, credible investigation into both initial attacks and subsequent actions, as well as for the urgent re-opening of humanitarian access to the populations in need. These messages were also reiterated in bilateral meetings undertaken by EU Special Representative for Human Rights Stavros Lambrinidis with State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces, during Mr Lambrinidis’ visit to Myanmar/Burma.
The Government is of the view that the underlying root causes of tensions in Rakhine State must be addressed with long-term solutions led by the Government of Myanmar/Burma. The need to guarantee respect for human rights and the rule of law for all people in Myanmar/Burma remains central to achieving this. Ireland has also called for more investment in early recovery and support for livelihood opportunities for both the Rohingya and Buddhist communities in Rakhine State.