Arakan News Agency
A visit to Myanmar by Norway’s State Secretary of Foreign Affairs has concluded with a US$1.25 million donation for humanitarian assistance in Rakhine State, but concerns remain that Norway is benefiting financially from government links made through peace process support.
Bard Glad Pedersen visited the troubled Rakhine State capital Sittwe last week where he met Chief Minister U Maung Maung Ohn and visited IDP camps for both Rohingya Muslims and ethnic Rakhine displaced by intercommunal violence.
Speaking to The Myanmar Times on July 4 after his visit, Mr Pedersen highlighted the lack of development across the state and suggested this had played an integral part in ethno-religious disputes there.
“This is one of the poorest states in Myanmar and there’s no reason for this [to be the case]. They have all the opportunities in the world and this is a result of decades of distrust and that really is what we need to [address].”
Mr Pedersen said that the funding, which comes in addition to a $1.25 million pledge made in Oslo at the end of May, would go toward projects to help all sectors of the community.
“[It] is important that this is beneficial for all the groups in Rakhine,” he added.
The ethnic Rakhine community has been vocal in accusing the international community of focusing relief efforts on the Rohingya population. Anger over the perceived partiality has erupted into violence that at times has forced INGO staff to leave.
Mr Pedersen did not give a clear outline on how the money would be distributed, other than through INGOs and some UN agencies. However he did say funding would be provided for Sittwe State Hospital.
That move is likely to be welcomed by the ethnic Rakhine community. However it could also prove controversial as many Rohingya patients are not able to access treatment there amid continued allegations that those who have been admitted were mistreated by staff.
Calling for the Rohingya to be given citizenship rights, saying it was “not sustainable” for a large population to be without this, Mr Pedersen said Rakhine needed financial support as well as political pressure to bring about change.
“It is important that the international community supports politically but also financially … reconciliation and finds solutions in Rakhine State that will allow for human rights to be respected for all people and [also] allow for citizenship for Rohingya.”
Many in Norway, home of the Nobel Peace Prize, have been critical of prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s choice not to call for citizenship for the Rohingya or to speak out clearly against their oppression.
Asked if he believed the National League for Democracy leader, whom he also met during his visit, should comment on the citizenship issue, Mr Pedersen replied, “I think it is a responsibility for all parties to contribute to a solution that will allow for human rights to be respected for all.”
Source : Myanmar times
