Foreign Minister Sugiono Affirms The International Community Must Take Responsibility For The Rohingya Crisis

Foreign Minister Sugiono while speaking at "High Level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslim and Other Minorities in Myanmar". (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that the Rohingya refugee crisis could not be separated from the Myanmar crisis, urging the international community to take responsibility for helping resolve it.

Speaking at the "High Level Conference on the Situation of the Rohingya Muslim and Other Minors in Myanmar" in a series of the United Nations' 80th General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized the importance of global cooperation to address the Rohingya crisis.

Foreign Minister Sugiono stressed that the Rohingya tragedy could not be separated from the Myanmar crisis.

"Complete resolution can only be achieved by overcoming the root of the problem through inclusive dialogue, in line with the Five-Point Consensus," he explained, launching a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday, October 1.

Foreign Minister Sugiono also called for increased international coordination, including close cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the International Organization on Migration (IOM), to provide ongoing support for countries that accommodate refugees. In particular, Indonesia urges the countries of the 1951 Refugee Convention, especially developed countries, to open wider doors for refugees through the reschedulement program in third countries.

"It has been eight years since Rohingya refugees have been in uncertainty. We must not allow this to turn into a decade of despair. The international community must share responsibility," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.

It is known that the Rohingya Summit was held based on the mandate of the UN General High School Resolution 79/182 to mobilize political support and review concrete, innovative, and measurable action plans that emphasize human rights protection and pave the way for voluntary, safe, and dignified Rohingya repatriation.