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Although the topic synopsis highlights this important characteristic of ASEAN, I thought it was crucial I reiterate how the regional bloc generally practices a policy of noninterference in its members' internal affairs.
Despite this generally leading to mostly silence from ASEAN member-states regarding the Rohingya, there has been a slight break in responses along religious lines. Prime Minister of Muslim-majority Malaysia, Najib Razak, has called upon the United Nations, as well as the U.S., China, and ICC to intervene and help resolve the crisis. Additionally, in Indonesia, the largest Muslim-majority country in the world, there have been massive protests against Myanmar's inaction to resolve this issue and the government has set up a hospital in the Rakhine state to treat victims.
How has your country reacted to the Rohingya crisis, and if it hasn't, should it? Discuss in the comments below.
The United States is deeply disturbed by the Rohingya crisis happening in Myanmar. The recent discovery of the mass graves found in the Rakhine does nothing to assuage these feelings. Aung San Suu Kyi is not doing enough for the Rohingya people and more useful action must be taken in order to end the ethnic cleansing of these people. Bill Richardson, the former American advisor to the Rohingya crisis panel, says his resignation was due to the absence of “moral leadership” and the blatant “disparaging of the ‘the media, the United Nations, human rights groups, and in general the international community.”
ReplyDeleteThe people of Myanmar are denying the existence of their fellow countrymen on the basis of their religion, something which is unacceptable. This being said, neighboring countries like Bangladesh have had to accommodate nearly 700,000 Rohingya people who have had to flee from rape, murder, and genocide, leading to stateless people in need of help from the international community.
To peacefully resolve this issue, the United States has stopped providing arms to the Myanmar government, and strongly encourages other countries to do as well. A significant amount of power in Myanmar is still held by the military. The United States has also proposed that Myanmar should take steps in inviting back the Rohingya people by ensuring their protection and granting them citizenship. On average, it takes 17 years before displaced peoples return to their homes, and the United States would like to avoid this. It is time that the Rohingya people be treated as they deserve to be, with respect and equal rights.
- The United States of America
Thanks so much, U.S. for the very first reply! I can see you are already thinking of solutions to address this issue, and we look forward to hearing about them more in detail in committee!
DeleteThe Republic of China is a close ally to the Myanmar government and therefore this topic puts the country in the middle of two sides. On the one hand, we, the country on China, believe the Myanmar government should be respected and their sovereignty should not be interfered with. In addition, China does not see the conflict as an issue of an ethnic cleansing as the government is defending itself against a group of people, the Rohingya people, who are fighting to create their own state. However, on the other hand, we see the humanitarian crisis this conflict has caused and are willing to help.
ReplyDeleteWithin the last year, China has altered their "hands-off" policy in regards to the foreign affairs of other countries. We see this as an opportunity to get more involved in the international community. For example, China has the ability to provide a substantial amount of peacekeepers into international conflicts, but, up until recently, have avoided major active participation in this area. Although this is the case, China does have a plan of action to train 900 peace keepers by the year 2020. China sees the problems on both sides of this conflict and are willing to become more involved in the situation that is not only affecting Myanmar, but also other surrounding countries such as Bangladesh, Thailand, and China. Without stabilizing peace in the region, no countries will be safe and therefore China will do what it can to help all parties involved.
- The Republic of China
The United States would like to commend the the Republic of China for their well thought out response to the prompt. The United States strongly agrees with the fact that there needs to be peace within the region for the sake of not only Myanmar, but the countries adjacent to it as well. There are a few issues, however, where the United States believes differently. The Myanmar government is not fighting a war with the Rohingya Muslims. Unlike the Kurds of Turkey, the Rohingya people are not armed, nor are they trying to fight for a separate state, though perhaps they should consider it as an option. This issue has been ongoing for nearly 75 years with Burmese federal organizations like the Na Ka Sa actively persecuting Muslims in Myanmar. That being said, the United States is interested in hearing about the peacekeeper plan and looks forward to collaboration in committee!
Delete- The United States
The Russian Federation believes that ASEAN must live up to its policy of noninterference when it comes to identity based conflicts. These conflicts are up to the governing party of the respective nations to decide upon and solve. Russia believes that instead of chastising nations such as Myanmar for their efforts in protecting their own civilians, nations in ASEAN and internationally should support the government of Myanmar in their efforts towards protecting their civilians. Instead of ridiculing the Myanmar government and dragging the conflict on even longer, we should support the government with advice and monetary support in order to quickly solve the conflict. Additionally, the Russian Federation stresses the fact that some western views and policies towards minorities at times simply cannot apply in regions of the Earth that is so culturally different from the west. We cannot simply force western solutions on to a region that has a different culture and tolerance to other groups. By supporting the Myanmar government, we can expedite the resolution of the Rohingya Crisis.
ReplyDeleteThe predominantly Buddhist Burmese people aren’t being threatened by the Muslims in the Rakhine State. The United States sees no need of any further protection of a population that isn’t under attack. The Rohingya Muslims, on the other hand, are being decimated and driven out by the Burmese military. The world didn’t feel the need to interfere in the Holocaust, a mistake that shouldn’t be committed once more. Ethnic cleansings are not forgivable nor should they be allowed under any sort of circumstances. The United States does agree though, that this issue should be resolved quicker and we believe this would happen when the Rohingya Muslims are given a proper home without the threat of attack from their own government. Our cultures and traditions may set us apart from one another, but at the end of the day we are all human and should be treated with respect and equality. People do not deserve to be raped, murdered, or driven away from their homes. The United States looks forward to coming up with compromises with the Russian Federation in committee to be able to tackle these issues plaguing our world!
Delete- The United States
Japan has played a potent role in the Myanmar crisis, through its role as one of the largest foreign aid donors. Starting in 2005, Japan appointed Yohei Sasakawa as the chairman of the Nippon Foundation, in hopes to reconcile the differences emerging within Myanmar. Despite the efforts and intentions placed upon employing numerous cultures within their society to rebuild a peaceful community, the Rohingya felt suppressed. In 2010, Japan supported Myanmar’s decisions regarding a political reform as the country held its first election in 20 years. Along with this, Japan has also provided ¥100 billion for further advancements in Myanmar's infrastructure. Additionally, the nation has turned over 500 billion yen of overdue debt and catered to a more affordable alternative for interest, which is a loan of 50 billion yen. Currently, Japan’s primary concern lies on the paramount issue held in Myanmar; however, instead of focusing on the Rohingya, Japan remains operating alongside the Myanmar government in hopes to contain China’s growing influence as a Southeast Asian State, through a strategic policy. Japan’s economic interests with Myanmar has led them to refrain from voicing their opinion regarding the issue, which is why in the U.N. Human Rights Council Resolution of Dec 5, 2017, Japan abstained from voting.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, the country of Japan plays a pivotal role as it is in an ideal position to pressure the government of Naypyitaw to restrict the suppression against the Rohingya and to instead forge peaceful dialogue. Additionally, a portion of Japan’s donations to the United Nations have been allocated into funds used to provide aid to Myanmar; however, much of this money has been claimed by the Rohingya. Although this amount remains diminutive, Japan keeps in close contact with the Myanmar government.
In the future, Japan aims to tackle the issue by initially erasing stigma around the Rohingya. This can be done primarily through publicly talking about the Rohingya as well as what Japan and the international community want to see from the Myanmar government. Additionally, rather than just appointing a chairman and funding the national government, Japan must create a dialogue amongst both the Rohingyas and the people of Myanmar to discuss what they expect from their government. The constant flow of financial aid coming from Japan must be geared more towards controlling aggressive behavior in order to catalyze this open dialogue. Along with this, Japan must reduce the geostrategic competition with China and better support the ethnic minorities within Myanmar instead of the government because of policies made. By taking this stance, Japan believes that the government of Myanmar will be aware of the disapproval from the international community as to how Myanmar is currently handling the Rohingya crisis.
-Japan