UN STATEMENT ’HARMFUL’
Suu Kyi rebuffs Security Council’s criticism over its handling of Rohingya refugees
MYANMAR yesterday hit back at a United Nations Security Council statement critical of its handling of the Rohingya refugee crisis, saying it could “seriously harm” efforts to repatriate the Muslim minority from Bangladesh.
On Monday, the top UN body called on Myanmar to rein in military operations that have pushed more than 600,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh since late August, sparking a dire humanitarian crisis.
The statement expressed “grave concern” over rights violations such as killing, sexual violence and torching of homes and property, “including by the Myanmar security forces”.
Other UN agencies have previously described the army crackdown, which Myanmar says is targeting Rohingya rebels, as
tantamount to ethnic cleansing.
Responding to the security council yesterday, the office of Myanmar’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi said the statement “ignores the fact that the issues facing Myanmar and Bangladesh today can only be resolved bilaterally, in an amicable manner, between
two neighbouring states”.
The statement “could potentially and seriously harm the bilateral negotiations between the two countries which have been proceeding smoothly and expeditiously”, it added.
After weeks of tension over the billowing crisis, Myanmar and Bangladesh have begun talks on
how to repatriate the refugees who have been cramming into squalid camps in the border district of Cox’s Bazar.
The two sides have yet to finalise a deal, with Myanmar last week accusing Bangladesh of delaying the process, while a Dhaka official said it was Myanmar which was not ready. AFP