https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Ec...to-begin-refugee-verification-process-Suu-Kyi
September 19, 2017 1:19 pm JST (Updated September 19, 2017 3:35 pm JST)
Myanmar ready to begin refugee verification process: Suu Kyi
State counselor condemns all human rights abuses, violence in Rakhine
YUICHI NITTA, Nikkei staff writer
Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi speaks during a televised national address in Naypyitaw on Sep. 19 (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
NAYPYITAW -- Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday condemned all human rights violations in the state of Rakhine in the west of the country, adding that the government is ready to begin a national verification process of refugees who have fled to neighboring Bangladesh in order to facilitate their return.
Over the past month, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Suu Kyi has come in for widespread international criticism for not speaking out more forcefully as more than 400,000 Rohingya Muslims escaped the Buddhist-majority country into Bangladesh.
"It is not the intention of the Myanmar government to apportion blame or to abdicate responsibility," Suu Kyi said during a highly anticipated televised national address in the capital, where some 500 diplomats and members of the media were gathered.
A member of Myanmar's security forces escorts media on an organized visit to conflict areas in northern Rakhine State on Aug. 30. (Photo by Thurein Hla Htway)
"We condemn all human rights violations and unlawful violence. We are committed to the restoration of peace and stability and rule of law throughout the state," Suu Kyi said. The address marks the first time Suu Kyi has spoken about the recent crisis.
The exodus of refugees was triggered by the military's response to attacks by Muslim militants in Rakhine state on Aug. 25. The military offensive reportedly included acts of arson, killings and torture, and was described by the United Nations as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing."
During the 30-minute address, Suu Kyi did not touch upon the allegations but said security forces "have been instructed to adhere strictly to the code of conduct in carrying out security operations, exercise all due restraint and to take full measures to avoid collateral damage and the harming of innocent civilians."
There had been "no armed clashes" and "no clearance operations" against the insurgents since Sep. 5., she said.
On reports that Rohingya villages have been burned down by security forces, Suu Kyi said: "There are allegations and counter-allegations and we have to listen to all of them. And we have to make sure these allegations are based on solid evidence before we take action."
A Rohingya woman and children come ashore after boating across a narrow stretch of the Bay of Bengal that separates Bangladesh and Myanmar on Sept. 5. © Reuters
Meanwhile, pointing to a report issued by an advisory commission on Rakhine state headed by former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, Suu Kyi said the Myanmar government will move forward with the verification process for refugees who have fled the country.
The commission, appointed last year by Suu Kyi, asked for freedom of movement for the refugees as well as recommending the government revise the country's citizen rights law, which does not recognize the Rohingya as one of the country's ethnic groups and denies them citizenship.