Question of resettlement

Transcription

1 Advisory Panel on the Question of Refugees in the South East Asia / Australia Region Question of resettlement Source: Kaushal Alate Deputy Chair

2 Introduction The Rohingya is a Muslim ethnic group in Myanmar, but the government is unwilling to recognise the Rohingya people as citizens. Many Rohingya are trying to escape to South East Asian countries. More than 120,000 Rohingya are estimated to have tried to flee by sea routes by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. However, as often occurs with refugees, the countries where these migrants have sought asylum in South East Asia and Oceania have not or been unable to accept all Rohingya (more details on next slides). Some countries have turned away boats full of Rohingya, leaving them to fend for themselves on the seas. A boat full of Rohingya off the coast of Indonesia Source: edia/archive/03313/rohingya_ and_bangl_ b.jpg

3 Definition of Key Terms Resettlement: the transfer of refugees from an asylum country to another state that has agreed to admit them and ultimately grant them permanent settlement (UNHCR) Statelessness: the state of having no country s citizenship, and thus being unable to enjoy the full rights granted to citizens in any country

4 Topic Summary / Overview 1.3 million Rohingya in Myanmar are said to be the descendants of people who settled in the Rakhine state of Myanmar as early as 1400 CE, but the Myanmarese government considers them refugees from Bangladesh and inferior to other citizens. There have been clashes between the Rohingya Muslims and Buddhists in Myanmar. Sectarian riots in 2012 killed 200 in Rakhine. Many Rohingya, to escape the persecution in Myanmar, travel by boat to seek asylum in South East Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand and in Australia. They say they would be happy to be offered asylum in any country where they would not face persecution.

5 Major Parties involved Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia are said to have repeatedly denied access to boats containing Rohingya, but have announced limited temporary measures to provide shelter (Ng and Gade). Australian PM Tony Abbott has famously and controversially said Nope, nope, nope to accepting any Rohingya. The US has already given refuge to 1000 Rohingya and has urged Myanmar to recognise the people as citizens to help solve the root cause of the crisis ( US Urges Myanmar, AlJazeera.com) Nope, nope, nope. Source: co.uk/image/8282- kapkr8.jpg

6 Timeline May 1, 2015: mass graves of Rohingya migrants found in Thailand seems to kick-start widespread media coverage of the crisis May 11, 2015: 2000 Rohingya rescued from boats by Indonesia and Malaysia May 14, 2015: Malaysia, Thailand refuse entry to two drifting boats full of starving Rohingya May 21, 2015: Tony Abbott s Nope, nope, nope. May 29, 2015: South East Asian countries and the US meet for crisis talks, not for the first time, in Bangkok

7 UN Involvement Various UN agencies attended the May 2015 Bangkok meeting shown on the timeline. However, the UN has been criticized for capitulating to Myanmar s demands, for instance not using the term Rohingya which the Myanmarese government avoids in favour of the slur Bengalis. Still, the UNHCR has urged the Myanmarese government to recognise the Rohingya as citizens and also considers this the root cause of the crisis ( South- East Asian Migrant Crisis, ABC News) Ban Ki-moon shaking hands with Myanmarese President Thein Sein in Source: 7xPic-Ban-Kimoon.jpg.pagespeed.ic_.0nUdXD UBQL.jpg

8 Possible Solutions Since the Rohingya undertake irregular boat trips to seek refuge, a solution involving organised resettlement of and asylum for these people seems necessary. Possible questions and solutions to consider: Should and can Myanmar be pressured into recognising the Rohingya as citizens? Would this be infringing upon its sovereignty, and if so, is this infringement justified? A regional solution involving the different South East Asian nations, Australia and perhaps other countries seems necessary. How should this be implemented? How many refugees should each country accept? The question of the many refugees still in boats in South East Asian or Australian waters who may be at immediate risk due to, for example, lack of provisions

9 Bibliography The Chair hopes this presentation is a useful introduction to the topic and guide to your own research. The sources below, in particular those bolded and italicised, may also help you in your own investigation of the issue: Medhora, Shalailah. "'Nope, Nope, Nope': Tony Abbott Says Australia Will Take No Rohingya Refugees." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 21 May Web. 9 Aug Pearlman, Jonathan. "Who Are the Rohingya Boat People?" The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 21 May Web. 07 Aug "Resettlement." UNHCR News. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, n.d. Web. 07 Aug "South-East Asian Migrant Crisis Timeline." ABC News. ABC, 28 May Web. 09 Aug Szczepanski, Kallie. "Who Are the Rohingya of Myanmar (Burma)?" AsianHistory.about.com. About.com, n.d. Web. 09 Aug "2015 Rohingya Refugee Crisis." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 July Web. 07 Aug [Information in this summary has been checked against the sources cited.] "US Urges Myanmar to Treat Rohingya as Citizens." AlJazeera.com. Al Jazeera Media Network, 3 June Web. 09 Aug