Myanmar progress 'on track': UN special adviser

(Photo: AP)

Radio Australia

April 12, 2013

United Nations Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Myanmar, Vijay Nambiar, says the government is committed to reform and resolving the issue of Rohingya statelessness.

Myanmar's progress towards democracy has been heralded around the world, but recent violence against ethnic minorities has caused the country's human rights to be questioned. 

Despite this, Mr Nambia has told Newsline the country's reform agenda is "on track" and the government wants to address the issue of citizenship. 

"I would say that these latest developments have been a reminder of what still needs to be done, and the fragility of the process, but there is determination in the government to carry this process of reform forward," Mr Nambiar said.

"I don't know whether we can say that the entire situation in the country has been deteriorating," he said. "I think broadly the reform process is on track."

The Myanmar government has regarded Rohingya Muslims as illegal immigrants who emigrated from Bangladesh, despite living in Myanmar for generations.

Recent sectarian violence between the country's majority Buddhists and minority Muslims has exposed the distrust between the two communities, with dozens killed and thousands displaced.

In March, Myanmar's Presidential spokesman, U Ye Htut, dismissed calls that the government should grant citizenship to the thousands of Rohingya still regarded as illegal immigrants.

But Mr Nambiar says positive steps are being made to resolve the dispute.

"The government, particularly the minister for immigration, is keen on looking at the larger question of citizenship."

"I think they are conscious that they need to come out with both temporary and long term measures to address this question."

The Rohingya are widely regarded as one of the most persecuted ethnic groups in the world.

Monsoon preparations

Mr Nambiar is also confident the government has taken on board concerns that refugee camps housing Rohingya won't survive the monsoon season.

"The government seems to be keen on looking at the humanitarian aspect on the one hand, because the monsoons are going to come very soon and the shelters which have already been constructed need to be strengthened and made somewhat permanent," he said.

Myanmar's Presidential spokesman, U Ye Htut, previously dismissed UN reports that the camps sheltering 120,000 people were inadequate.