ZCZC
BSS-24
AUSTRALIA-UN-ROHINGYA
Australia welcomes release of report of UN Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar
DHAKA, August 29, 2018 (BSS)-The Australian government has welcomed the
release of the summary report of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, said
Australian foreign affairs ministry.
“Australia is deeply disturbed by the conclusions of the Fact-Finding
Mission. Australia consistently has urged Myanmar to take action on human
rights violations. We repeat our call for justice for those who have
suffered. Perpetrators must be held to account,” said Minister of Foreign
Affairs Senator Marise Ann Payne in a statement.
“We will continue to work internationally to this end, including through
our position on the Human Rights Council and at the UN General Assembly,”
Marise Ann Payne added.
Australia has been a strong supporter of the Fact-Finding Mission, which
has conducted a thorough, credible and independent investigation of human
rights abuses in northern Myanmar and Rakhine State, said the statement
issued from Australian High Commission in Dhaka.
The Fact-Finding Mission concludes that war crimes, crimes against
humanity and genocide have occurred in Rakhine State and recommends actions
to pursue accountability for the atrocities detailed in the report.
Australia will provide further comment on the Fact-Finding Mission’s
findings once its full report is handed down in September.
The Rohingya crisis is the region’s largest humanitarian emergency –
with over 900,000 displaced Rohingyas in need in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, and
more than 530,000 remaining in Rakhine State in Myanmar.
Australia has responded generously to support the Rohingya, providing $70
million of humanitarian assistance to deliver emergency supplies to Rakhine
State and food, shelter, clean water and essential health services to Cox’s
Bazar.
BSS/PR/TAN/RY/1725 hrs