About 70 civil society organisations have signed the "Requirements of a Regional Solution for the Rohingya", issued on 6 March 2009. An abstract of the statement, originally written by members of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), is provided here.
About 70 civil society organisations have signed the "Requirements of a Regional Solution for the Rohingya", issued on 6 March 2009. An abstract of the statement, originally written by members of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), is provided below.
In recent weeks, governments in the region have begun discussing "regional solutions" to the situation of the Rohingya.
We emphasise that any regional solution must be founded upon a recognition of and respect for the rights of the Rohingya. We are concerned that the Bali Process, the suggested forum for the negotiation of a regional solution, may not adequately focus on the rights of the Rohingya. In this regard, we remind states that any regional solution must be based upon the following principles:
- Refuge must be provided to those in need of international protection;
- No refugee or migrant should be forcibly returned (refouled) to Burma;
- The rights of refugees and migrants must be respected;
- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) must be granted full, unconditional access to the Rohingya in states of the region; and,
- The international community must be included in and provide support to any regional solution.
For the complete statement, please click here.
(Photo courtesy of Kalaban Press Network)
