ID :
49469
Sat, 03/07/2009 - 19:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/49469
The shortlink copeid
Thailand, UNHCR affirm cooperation to resolve Rohingya problem
BANGKOK, March 7 (TNA) - Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres have affirmed the cooperation of Thailand and the UNHCR to jointly come to resolution of the Rohingya migrant problem, saying the issue was not simply one single country's burden but a regional problem.
Mr. Kasit and Mr. Guterres met at the Foreign Ministry to discuss the cooperation.
The UNHCR official said he would leave Thailand Saturday for Yangon to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Myanmar on bilateral cooperation to resolve the migrant issue.
He said the United Nations agency had received financial support from the international community to use in finding a solution to the Rohingya migrant problem and also to apply toward improving the facilities and services offered in caring for Rohingya migrants in the UNHCR camp in Bangladesh.
Mr. Guterres said he would also discuss with the Myanmar officials on measures to prevent the outflow of migrants from the country.
Humanitarian assistance would also be discussed during the visit, he said.
Mr. Kasit said he would attend the Bali Process Ministerial Meeting April 14-15 in Indonesia, adding that now the countries concerned accepted it as regional problem and agreed to jointly help solve the problem.
The ‘Bali Process’, the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, was launched in 2002 with a key objective of providing a framework of regional cooperation.
The ‘Process’ draws together 40 member countries from the Asia-Pacific region (including Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, and Malaysia—all of which are directly affected by the Rohingya issue) and 18 observer countries, with participation of international organisations, including the UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
Thailand has played a key role in the Bali Process since its initiation, having been assigned as a coordinator for the expert group on policy issues, legislative frameworks and law enforcement issues. Thailand is committed to continue such activities and play a constructive role in the Process.
Mr. Kasit and his Myanmar counterpart Nyan Win met on February 28, on the sidelines of the 14th ASEAN Summit, and the Thai minister was informed by his Myanmar counterpart that there has been tripartite cooperation since 1990 between Myanmar, Bangladesh and the UNHCR.
However, the problem does not lend itself to easy solution, given the complex nature of the problem and the long border between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Minister Nyan Win, nevertheless, reiterated his country’s willingness accept the return of members of what it terms as a Bengali minority group.
The Myanmar government does not recognise the Rohingya as one of the 135 official ethnic groups residing in their country, having withdrawn citizenship from all members of the minority in 1982. But, the Myanmar foreign minister said if it could be proved that the so-called Rohingya boat people were born in Myanmar, the country would accept their return. (TNA)
Mr. Kasit and Mr. Guterres met at the Foreign Ministry to discuss the cooperation.
The UNHCR official said he would leave Thailand Saturday for Yangon to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Myanmar on bilateral cooperation to resolve the migrant issue.
He said the United Nations agency had received financial support from the international community to use in finding a solution to the Rohingya migrant problem and also to apply toward improving the facilities and services offered in caring for Rohingya migrants in the UNHCR camp in Bangladesh.
Mr. Guterres said he would also discuss with the Myanmar officials on measures to prevent the outflow of migrants from the country.
Humanitarian assistance would also be discussed during the visit, he said.
Mr. Kasit said he would attend the Bali Process Ministerial Meeting April 14-15 in Indonesia, adding that now the countries concerned accepted it as regional problem and agreed to jointly help solve the problem.
The ‘Bali Process’, the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, was launched in 2002 with a key objective of providing a framework of regional cooperation.
The ‘Process’ draws together 40 member countries from the Asia-Pacific region (including Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, and Malaysia—all of which are directly affected by the Rohingya issue) and 18 observer countries, with participation of international organisations, including the UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
Thailand has played a key role in the Bali Process since its initiation, having been assigned as a coordinator for the expert group on policy issues, legislative frameworks and law enforcement issues. Thailand is committed to continue such activities and play a constructive role in the Process.
Mr. Kasit and his Myanmar counterpart Nyan Win met on February 28, on the sidelines of the 14th ASEAN Summit, and the Thai minister was informed by his Myanmar counterpart that there has been tripartite cooperation since 1990 between Myanmar, Bangladesh and the UNHCR.
However, the problem does not lend itself to easy solution, given the complex nature of the problem and the long border between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Minister Nyan Win, nevertheless, reiterated his country’s willingness accept the return of members of what it terms as a Bengali minority group.
The Myanmar government does not recognise the Rohingya as one of the 135 official ethnic groups residing in their country, having withdrawn citizenship from all members of the minority in 1982. But, the Myanmar foreign minister said if it could be proved that the so-called Rohingya boat people were born in Myanmar, the country would accept their return. (TNA)
