It highlights importance of granting citizenship for
Rohingyas
The United Nations has said a substantial progress
remains urgently needed in three key areas including addressing the root causes
of the Rohingya crisis and a clear pathway to citizenship for Rohingyas who are
eligible.
Two other areas covered by the Memorandum of
Understanding are granting effective access in Rakhine State and ensuring
freedom of movement for all communities.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) say they
stand ready to commence assessment activities in 23 villages following the
signing of MoU by the two agencies and the government of Myanmar three months
ago.
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"These assessments would be a first step only, with
the expectations that access will be expanded to allow for the large scale
comprehensive assessments that continue to be needed," Stephane Dujarric,
Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, told reporters in a regular briefing at
the UN headquarters.
The assessment in the initial list of villages is part of
a broader work plan that has been under discussion with the authorities in
Myanmar since July, he said.
By commencing with needs assessments to identify and
implement quick-impact projects, UNHCR and UNDP hope to jump start confidence
building measures aimed at rebuilding trust and social cohesions with those
communities that remain in Rakhine State, said Dujarric.
Responding to a question, the Spokesman said the first
steps is creation of confidence-building measures for the Rohingya populations
that remain in Rakhine State, to ensure full access to the relevant UN
agencies.
"At the end of the day, it'll be those Rohingya
refugees that will have to make the determination, free from pressure, to go
back, voluntarily, in dignity," he said.
The UN Spokesman also said he is not saying there is no
resolution in the near future. "We're working towards a resolution."
On Thursday, the International Criminal Court's (ICC)
came up with a ruling that it has jurisdiction over Myanmar's deportation of
the Rohingya population to Bangladesh, a crime against humanity.
Amnesty International has said the ICC decision is a
significant step in the right direction which opens up a clear avenue of
justice for the Rohingya who were driven out of their homes, often as soldiers
opened fire on them and burned down their villages.
However, Myanmar on Friday rejected the ruling by the
International Criminal Court that empowered the tribunal to probe alleged
crimes against the Rohingya though Myanmar is not a member of it.
Source: Independent Online Desk