Myanmar’s cooperation in international efforts on the incident occurred in the Indian Ocean

Myanmar’s cooperation in international efforts on the incident occurred

in the Indian Ocean

First and foremost, we agree with you and share concerns over the sufferings and unfortunate fate of innocent people as the consequences of human smuggling and illegal migration currently occurred in the region.

            How did it happen?

            Many people living under the poverty line, naturally, seek for better life in other countries at where they expect job opportunity, social life, etc. could be happily and easily found.  While taking the opportunity to exploit these simple hopes, smugglers and traffickers emerged and played in devil role pretending to fulfill their dreams in conventional and inhumane manner under contemporary form of slavery.

            At this point, we would like to suggest to find further various news carrying about crackdown of smugglers including high-ranking officials in one country, bodies found at the two countries’ border, refusal of three countries to enter the drifting boats into their territories, US$ 600 payment for sea transporting, etc. for your own judgment who did it and how  it happened whilst Myanmar and another country are described as the countries from  where these migrants fled away.

The most important thing for you to be known

            Myanmar is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society peacefully co-existed of over 51 million population composed of 90% Buddhist, 4% Christian, 4% Muslim and 2 % Hindu and others in religious-wise.

            You may ask the 90% Buddhist. The answer is simple as the majority of Muslims in Islamic countries exist traditionally. Most importantly, in Myanmar, there are freedom of religion and non- discrimination against any person on race, religion, gender, etc. under the Constitution.  Christian Church, Muslim Mosques, Hindu temples, Buddhist pagodas can be seen side-by-side in many parts of the country proving mutual regard for all religions.

            We, you and many witness the rise of religion extremism in various societies   as a complex phenomenon and its negative effects are present in our daily life.

            To avoid these, inter-religious/ interfaith dialogues are being widely held in Myanmar as a powerful way of promoting tolerance to share deep insights and aspirations with each others on the basis of mutual respect and recognition of one’s belief.

Other factors to be counted

            Developing country like Myanmar is facing undue pressure politicized by some quarters who do not want Myanmar to be on right track forwards prosperous one.  They are also creating misunderstanding and anger from the international community including Muslims at this very moment when humanitarian assistance are badly needed for the boat people ( this is our strong view ) by placing one-sided story over sole country.

            There are efforts by Myanmar on rebuilding trust between two communities in Rakhine State, granting citizenship through national verification process to Bengalis living in Myanmar for many years and arrangements made for living side-by-side with concrete documentation. 

Myanmar and Pakistan

            Myanmar High Commissioner was the first-ever one presented his Letters of Credence to Quaid-i-Azam, Governor-General of Pakistan since 1947 and could imagine the long-lasting and time-tested relations between the two countries and the peoples.

Conclusion

            Myanmar is fully prepared to work with the international community especially on humanitarian ground and moral obligation to alleviate the sufferings of the smuggled/ trafficked victims.  It has also been extending its full cooperation with countries in the region to solve the issue of boat people.  On the other hand, Myanmar has been providing humanitarian assistance and search and rescue efforts in its own capacity.

            Recently, 700- 1000 victims have been rescued and well-looked after at Myanmar side, and 150 persons were verified as Bangladeshi nationals and handed over to their side on 8 June 2015.

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PRESS RELEASE

A resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar tabled by European Union was adopted today at the 28th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

The resolution does not adequately and objectively reflect and apprise of the efforts and achievements in promoting and protecting of human rights of the people of Myanmar. In addition to this drawback, some facts amount to infringing on the sovereignty and interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar. It includes criticizing and prejudging the holding and the outcome of upcoming general elections, turning a blind eye on the efforts being made for a free, fair and transparent election. It also contains a terminology which is not accepted by the nation and its entire people. It is also learnt that expressions on Myanmar’s cooperation with the United Nations agencies and the international humanitarian community are misleading.

Against this backdrop, the Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Myanmar to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva made a statement before the adoption of the said resolution. The statement rejects, reserves and clarifies Myanmar’s position on the paragraphs in which the above-mentioned facts were included. In addition, the Ambassador stated clearly that Myanmar dissociates itself from the entire resolution.

As Myanmar is in the fourth year of implementing political, socio-economic and administrative reforms, visible progresses have already been achieved. At the same time, Myanmar has been striving to overcome the challenges common to a young democracy. At this critical juncture, only constructive contributions and advices should be made for further progress towards reaching the goal of the whole process rather than focusing and criticizing on some incidents.

Myanmar will maintain its efforts in promoting and protecting of human rights of its people. In so doing, cooperation with friendly nations and the international organizations which support Myanmar with constructive views will be continued.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Nay Pyi Taw
Dated: 27 March 2015