Progress Update on Situation in Myanmar

Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what approach can be taken, pursuant to Articles 11, 12, 14 and 22 of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration to ensure the protection of Myanmar's ethnic minorities, in particular the protection of minorities living in Rakhine State.

Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether ASEAN can work towards coming up with an agreement and structural framework, pursuant to Article 15 of the Human Rights Declaration, to ensure the possibility of peaceful repatriation of Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar.

There has been no significant progress in the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus formulated by the ASEAN Leaders in Jakarta on 24 April 2021.

We are deeply concerned with the ongoing violence in Myanmar. The use of lethal force against unarmed civilians is unacceptable. Such attacks contravene the principles in the ASEAN Charter and the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration. The consecutive Special Envoys of the ASEAN Chair to Myanmar have not been allowed to make a single visit to Myanmar to engage with all parties concerned, as stipulated in the Five-Point Consensus.

The cooperation and support of all stakeholders, especially that of the Myanmar military authorities, is essential for the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. In order to promote national reconciliation, we have repeatedly called on the Myanmar military authorities to release all political detainees, including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and foreign detainees. We also urge our external partners to continue to support ASEAN and to encourage the military authorities to implement ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus swiftly and effectively. The international community should also support ASEAN's efforts to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar.

We urge the Myanmar military authorities to avoid actions inimical to eventual national reconciliation and the restoration of peace and stability in Myanmar. The Myanmar military authorities should halt the violence against their political opponents and civilians.

The situation in Rakhine State is a complex inter-communal issue with deep historical roots. There are no quick fixes. Unfortunately, recent political developments in Myanmar and COVID-19 have further complicated the situation in Rakhine State and the prospect of the safe and voluntary return of refugees. We hope that all parties will give due consideration to their responsibility to protect ethnic minorities, the urgent humanitarian needs of displaced persons and the need to improve ground conditions in the refugee camps.

Singapore has supported ASEAN's efforts to help improve ground conditions in Rakhine State, including the Preliminary Needs Assessment (PNA) and the ASEAN Secretariat's Ad-Hoc Support Team.

The recommendations of the PNA include priority projects such as the supply of radio receivers to the local community in order to strengthen the dissemination of accurate information. We are prepared to send further consignments of aid and stand ready to support future comprehensive needs assessments once repatriation commences so that we can be more targeted in helping the displaced persons.

While ASEAN has not discussed an agreement or structural framework for repatriation, we will continue to explore within ASEAN, ways to better support the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of refugees back to Rakhine State. Even as we work through ASEAN, Singapore's assistance to displaced persons from Rakhine State is ongoing. We have contributed over S$1 million in bilateral humanitarian aid to both Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The return to Myanmar's path of democratic transition and stability will be a long and difficult journey. Ultimately, the solution to both the political and humanitarian challenges lie within Myanmar itself, and in the hands of its people. Singapore will continue to work with ASEAN Chair Cambodia and other ASEAN Member States to support Myanmar’s efforts to reach a sustainable and peaceful political solution.