Press Releases Rohingya refugees: Statement by the Spokesperson on Indonesia’s demonstration of solidarity

Rohingya refugees: Statement by the Spokesperson on Indonesia’s demonstration of solidarity

The EU welcomes Indonesia’s decision to allow safe disembarkation and provide humanitarian assistance and protection to the nearly 100 Rohingya refugees, mostly women and children, stranded off the northern coast of Aceh last week.

The rescue of the Rohingya refugees – facing dire conditions – respects international law and proves the generosity of the Indonesian people and government.

In cooperation with the relevant Indonesian authorities, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and other humanitarian organisations, the EU will mobilise humanitarian support to address the most pressing basic needs of the affected refugees.

While we appreciate the humanitarian gesture of the Government of Indonesia, the plight of the Rohingyas cannot be solved by humanitarian action of benevolent countries alone. The root cause of the Rohingya’s plight is in Rakhine State, Myanmar, from where they were originally forcibly expelled.

We expect the Government of Myanmar to create the conditions enabling their safe, sustainable, dignified, and voluntary return to their places of origin, including through the credible implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, which it had endorsed, and in accordance with the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice. We reiterate that all armed forces in Myanmar must urgently implement an unconditional ceasefire, including in Rakhine and Chin States, and recommit to an all-inclusive peace process.

We also call on all countries in the region, including ASEAN member states, to further engage with the Government of Myanmar to ensure that it increases its efforts towards a just and durable solution for the Rohingya issue, in line with international law and human rights principles

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