Suu Kyi’s speech disappoints UN resident coordinator in Bangladesh

Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s speech on the Rohingya crisis has “disappointed” the UN resident coordinator in Bangladesh.

Nurul Islam Hasibbdnews24.com
Published : 20 Sept 2017, 06:04 PM
Updated : 20 Sept 2017, 09:43 PM

“It fell short of that we expected,” Robert Watkins told bdnews24.com in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

Suu Kyi on Tuesday made her first speech since attacks by Rohingya Muslim insurgents on Aug 25 sparked a military response that has driven over 420,000 Rohingyas into Bangladesh. She condemned any human rights violations in Rakhine State.

Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a speech to the nation over Rakhine and Rohingya situation, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar September 19, 2017. Reuters

The Nobel peace laureate also said her country is ready to welcome back refugees who have fled Myanmar to Bangladesh after verification.

“We are disappointed,” the UN Dhaka Office chief said. “We’ll like to hear more recognition of what’s really going on”.

But he found some positive aspects.

“She recognised that there are refugees in Bangladesh. She used the number that we have been providing - 420,000.

“So that’s kind of a small breakthrough because you may recall in the past after the last October they refused to even think there are refugees coming to Bangladesh. They think its economic migrants and the number was exaggerated. They did not accept the number.”

She also wanted to see the implementation of the Kofi Annan commission report which Watkins also found to be a positive gesture.

“These are some slightly positive developments. Overall, we wanted much more. There is no question about that,” he said.

He, however, said they cannot say how long it may take to resolve the crisis and return those refugees.

“The important thing to keep in mind is that the recognition that these people are refugees will have the case for Bangladesh to negotiate for the return of these people of Myanmar. This is really a very important recognition,” he said.

Rohingya refugee issue is a decade-old crisis as Myanmar denies their citizenship. Hundreds of thousands of them have been living in Bangladesh for long.

The UN is also criticised for not doing enough to solve the crisis.

“This is a very difficult problem. We have been serious about that. There have been very big transition and change over the last couple of years.

“The work we have been doing both in the political and the humanitarian level helped in the transition from military rule to democratic rule (in Myanmar),” he said.

"We helped in that aspect," he said, "but the ongoing violent situation has affected many lives."

“We don’t know exactly how many people have died, how many houses destroyed, that is a huge conflict. There are other simmering conflicts in Myanmar.”

Rohingya refugees living in concrete pipes in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, September 20, 2017. Reuters

Bangladesh has proposed creating a “safe zone” inside Rakhine State for their safe return. Watkins, however, does not see “safe zone” as solution to the problem.

“The idea itself is not bad one. But we have to have someone to protect them. Those people who are responsible for perpetrating violence are not enough to do that.

“For UN it’ll require access. But we are not allowed. They did not allow even the US assistance secretary of state. So I don’t think that that’s going to be the solution.”

Bangladesh is also planning to relocate Rohingyas from Cox’s Bazar to Thengar Char in Noakhali.

“We said such a move should only be considered if the place is better. I don’t know how the place is now. It's submerged during the rainy season.”

“And we accept, if they (refugees) are willing for that (relocation),” he said.

“In refugee situation we never want to isolate them from the rest of the people. It's difficult for their livelihood.  Infrastructure, road, electricity lines, telephones, hospitals, clinics and schools would be required and it all requires a massive amount of money.”