Resolving Rohingya crisis requires political power at int'l level

Mohammad Azmi Abdul Hamid in an interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said, 'The things are clear. The mandate is with United Nations which has authority to send peace keepers and even to impose sanctions against Myanmar.'

Azmi Abdul Hamid emphasized since countries would not legally create an obligation in Myanmar, governments individually cannot take an action to improve the Rohingya's plight. Therefore, we are entirely dependent on the United Nations.

He believed that United Nations, Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have their instruments such as sanctions, threats or other means to pressure Myanmar.

Non-interfere policies applied by some countries who look for then interests act as a main a barrier to improving the conditions of the Rohingyas, he said.

Regarding repatriation of Rohingya from Bangladesh to Myanmar, he said, 'Their security is the sole important issue. This issue still is unclear, and so it is necessary that the talks between Myanmar and Bangladesh to be reviewed and there must be a third party form international agencies to come in and see whether the procedures are implemented properly.'

He added, 'Myanmar continues to expel the Rohingyas, kill them and burn them in fire. Indeed, efforts to bring them back while still the situation has not been resorted, doesn’t make sense.'

In his opinion, all countries need to consult and negotiate on the Rohingya return agreement as well as on the conditions for their return.

'It can be bilateral or multilateral, but countries must come to a conclusion collectively, because no country alone can persuade Myanmar to meet the international communities' demands,' he said.

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