15 Nov 2023
Mr Chair,
1 Today, I am taking the floor to explain our position on the resolution that we have just adopted, “The Situation of Human Rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar”.
2 The situation in Rakhine State is complex and we encourage Myanmar to work with relevant UN agencies including the UNDP and UNHCR to create conducive conditions for the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of refugees from Bangladesh. We recognise and commend the efforts of the Bangladeshi government to facilitate this outcome, and we encourage Bangladesh and Myanmar to continue engagement and dialogue to facilitate the repatriation process. On the humanitarian front, ASEAN and its member states, including Singapore, have provided humanitarian assistance to the refugees, including through the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (also known as the AHA Centre).
Mr Chair,
3 There has to be, however, political stability in Myanmar in order for there to be stability in Rakhine State. Singapore remains deeply concerned with the situation in Myanmar following the February 2021 military coup. It has been close to three years since the ASEAN Leaders agreed on the Five-Point Consensus with the leader of the Myanmar military authorities, and we remain deeply disappointed by the lack of progress in its implementation. The dire security, economic, and humanitarian situation persists, and violence has not ceased. We continue to urge the Myanmar military authorities to work with ASEAN to implement the Five-Point Consensus expeditiously. The ASEAN Leaders recently reviewed the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in September, and this review included the decision to establish an informal consultation mechanism, comprising the previous, current, and future ASEAN Chairs in order to engage with all Myanmar stakeholders. And we hope this will help ensure sustainability in ASEAN’s efforts to address the crisis.
Mr Chair,
4 ASEAN and Singapore will continue to work with our external partners, including the UN, to facilitate a peaceful solution in Myanmar. And we welcome the role of the UN and the UN Secretary-General Special Envoy in addressing the situation in Myanmar. We also look forward to the appointment of the next UNSG Special Envoy on Myanmar as soon as possible.
5 I thank you Mr Chair.
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