Today marks seven years since the Myanmar military’s violent attacks caused mass displacement of Rohingya communities.
Seven years on, the Myanmar military regime continues to inflict terrible suffering on the people of Myanmar, including the Rohingyas. Australia is deeply concerned by the recent escalation of violence in Rakhine state. We are dismayed by reports of attacks by the regime, and other armed actors, against civilians, the use of internally displaced people as human shields, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, and the use of landmines. We continue to support international accountability for human rights violations and other abuses.
We call on the Myanmar regime to take a different path. The regime must cease violence, engage in dialogue and grant safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. We support ASEAN’s efforts to resolve the crisis through the work of the ASEAN Chair and Special Envoy and consistent with the Five Point Consensus. We continue to support the people of Myanmar and their aspirations for a return to the path of democracy.
Australia remains committed to supporting the humanitarian needs of the Rohingya people in Myanmar and Bangladesh. We welcome the commitment from Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhummad Yunus and the interim government to continue supporting over one million Rohingyas. We want to see conditions put in place which would allow for their voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return to Myanmar.
