ASEAN Reaffirms Support for Security and Repatriation Efforts in Myanmar’s Rakhine State

ASEAN Reaffirms Support for Security and Repatriation Efforts in Myanmar’s Rakhine State
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Top Southeast Asian diplomats reiterated their support for security in Myanmar’s Rakhine state and emphasized the importance of safe and dignified repatriation of displaced Rohingya people during recent ASEAN foreign ministers’ talks in Kuala Lumpur. The statement highlighted ASEAN’s backing of Myanmar’s efforts to achieve peace, stability, and reconciliation among communities, as well as sustainable development in Rakhine.

While not explicitly naming the Rohingya, ASEAN welcomed continued cooperation between Myanmar and Bangladesh on bilateral repatriation initiatives for verified displaced persons. Myanmar, governed by a military junta since 2021, faces an ongoing genocide case at the International Court of Justice.

ASEAN has excluded Myanmar from recent meetings following the coup, with Malaysia, the current chair, stating that Myanmar’s planned elections are “not a priority.” The bloc affirmed its commitment to facilitating repatriation and promoting harmony amid ongoing internal conflicts.