SINGAPORE
By Moazzam Malik*
Today
21 Jan 2018
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has become an important international actor, with a reputation that matters globally.
The Rakhine crisis in Myanmar presents a critical challenge in 2018.
We have all seen the shocking images of the humanitarian situation faced by Myanmar’s Rohingya people.
Assessments from the ground indicate that lack of security, travel restrictions, and food shortages are major drivers behind the flow of refugees. Those assessments also show that whilst humanitarian assistance is getting into Bangladesh, the level of assistance getting into Rakhine State is simply inadequate.
The key obstacle is the reluctance of the Myanmar authorities to grant access to humanitarian agencies.
The international community must act. In the United Kingdom – from Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson down – we have been impressed by the efforts within ASEAN but the situation is desperate and the time for bold leadership is now.
This is an important moment for ASEAN.
As I recall personally, ASEAN played a critical role after Cyclone Nargis in 2008. At the time I was in charge of humanitarian operations at the UK Department for International Development.
Then – as today – Myanmar was reluctant to allow international humanitarian agencies to deliver aid.
ASEAN – led by the now sadly departed Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan and Member States – stepped in.
They negotiated a tripartite approach with Myanmar and the United Nations to oversee humanitarian operations in-country. This allowed agencies with the right capability and expertise to get assistance to those in desperate need.
ASEAN leadership saved thousands of lives.
Singapore’s chairing of ASEAN this year is a critical opportunity to once again show leadership on an issue that has an impact around the globe.
As mandated by ASEAN Foreign Ministers on September 23 in New York, the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Centre has begun to deliver assistance. At present the volumes are small and the supplies are being handed over to the Myanmar Government for delivery in Rakhine. But many of those in most desperate need do not trust the Government. This approach cannot avert the humanitarian crisis.
The AHA Centre must be given support to scale up its assistance, and permission to start delivering aid directly in Rakhine in line with established humanitarian principles.
More importantly, ASEAN leaders should expand the AHA Centre’s mandate so that it can play an umbrella role as ASEAN did so successfully during Cyclone Nargis.
ASEAN can catalyze the international community by generating access for bodies such as the UN, which is the only body that can operate at the scale needed.
An AHA Centre “umbrella” looks like the right option. The AHA Centre has the credibility to work with the international community and the Government of Myanmar.
ASEAN and Singaporean leadership can also help to find solutions to the longer term crisis.
The Advisory Commission on Rakhine State led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has made sensible recommendations to achieve a peaceful and fair future for the people of Rakhine State.
These include the need to establish impartial rule of law, provide public services such as healthcare impartially, and to lift restrictions on movements. The recommendations are essential to address some of the underlying causes of the crisis.
A serious investigation of human rights violations will also be needed in the long-term to avoid the risk of impunity. A solution will be needed to create the conditions for the safe and dignified return of refugees.
The Annan recommendations are supported by Indonesia, the UK and others. ASEAN endorsement and support for the Annan Report would send a clear and important signal about the way ahead.
The UK – along with other members of the UN Security Council – is deeply committed to Myanmar’s democratic transition. We are actively supporting this through development cooperation to benefit all the people of Myanmar. But the crisis in Rakhine State undermines democratic principles and needs to be addressed.
Alongside our work with the international community in New York, we have sent a clear signal by reducing military-to-military cooperation with Myanmar. But we have also committed significant financial aid to support humanitarian assistance in Rakhine State and Bangladesh.
We will continue to support ASEAN leaders as they seek solutions to the Rakhine crisis. Sensible diplomacy, behind the scenes where necessary, has begun to make a difference.
A regional solution to this regional crisis remains the best hope. The desperate people in those images on our televisions and in our newspapers deserve our urgent help.
*Moazzam Malik is the UK Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor Leste and ASEAN.
(First published in: http://www.todayonline.com/commentary/rohingya-crisis-time-asean-act )
