Yangon – Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi sought to reassure her South-East Asian neighbours on Monday amid growing concern for the country’s Muslim minority Rohingya community.
Foreign ministers from all 10 countries in the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) were attending a retreat at Yangon’s Sedona Hotel, arranged following an international outcry over the crisis, especially from Muslim-majority countries.
Tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims, many of whom are severely malnourished, have been without humanitarian assistance in northern Rakhine state since October 9 attacks on security forces prompted a sweeping crackdown.
Muslim activists participate in a rally protest against killing of Rohingya Muslim in Myanmar and also submit a memorandum to The President of Myanmar through the Consulate General on December 7, 2016, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. (Credit Image: © Saikat Paul/Pacific Press via ZUMA Wire)
The military has been accused of killing and raping members of the persecuted minority during “clearance operations” and many have fled across the border to Bangladesh.
“We had a very transparent and honest exchange of views,” Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters after talks wrapped up.
She said there were two “important elements” agreed at the meeting.
“First is that Myanmar will update regularly to ASEAN member countries about the developments in Rakhine state,” she said.
“Second of all is that Myanmar appreciated very much the offer from the ASEAN members on humanitarian assistance.
All of the ASEAN member countries had offered to give assistance to Myanmar “to restore peace and stability in Rakhine state,” she said.
In a statement, Malaysia called for “unimpeded humanitarian access” to the region, and suggested ASEAN coordinate assistance.
-dpa
