Amnesty International Supports the Investigation of the Humanitarian Crisis in Myanmar

INDUSTRY.co.id - Amnesty International supports the investigation of the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State, Myanmar in accordance with international human rights standards, said Amnesty International Deputy Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Josef Benedict.

"Investigations should be conducted against all attacks that have been done immediately, thoroughly and effectively, and in accordance with international human rights standards," Josef said in a press release in Jakarta on Saturday (09/16/2017)

While making recommendations on Rohingya's situation, Josef said Myanmar should end the campaign of violence and human rights violations that occurred in the northern state of Rakhine.

"Myanmar must cooperate fully with the UN Fact Finding Mission (UN), including by allowing its members full and unrestricted access to the rest of the country," he said.

He also recommended that Myanmar, Bangladesh and the international community ensure that all refugees and internally displaced persons can return home voluntarily, safely and with dignity.

"They must also ensure that independent journalists and human rights monitors have access to Rakhine sections unhindered throughout the region," he said.

Josef also said that the Myanmar authorities are working hard to overcome the systematic and long-standing discrimination in Rakhine State, which has kept people trapped in a cycle of violence and poverty.

"They must also ensure that the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations have full and unlimited access to all parts of Myanmar, and ensure that organizations whose humanitarian operations are currently suspended in Rakhine State can continue its operations at the earliest opportunity," he said.

In addition, he expects independent journalists and human rights monitors to have access to Rakhine sections unhindered throughout the region.

Earlier, a humanitarian crisis sparked by a conflict between the militant group Army of Liberation Rohingya Arakan (ARSA) and the military in Rakhine State, Myanmar, will be discussed in a meeting of the ASEAN foreign ministers.

The meeting will take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 23, 2017, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said at a hearing with the House of Representatives Commission I in Jakarta on Monday (11/9).

In addition to listening to the current situation in Myanmar, ASEAN foreign ministers will also discuss how each member country can play a more important role especially in channeling humanitarian aid to conflict-affected people in Rakhine.

"Regarding humanitarian aid this will be one of the main issues discussed in the meeting," She said.