Worried over the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state, a former top Indian diplomat with the UN has urged the country's leader Aung San Suu Kyi to listen to her "inner voice" and reassure the people there that they will be protected.
"I am persuaded that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi hears and understands the concerns of the international community," UN special adviser on Myanmar Vijay Nambiar said.
"However, the refusal by the Myanmar authorities to take a strong stance against hardliners, and the adoption of a generally defensive rather than proactive approach to providing security to the local population, have caused frustration locally and disappointment internationally.
"Only by responding concretely to these concerns will the government be able to resolve the crisis and preserve its international standing," he said.
Northern Rakhine, home to the Muslim Rohingya minority, has been under military lockdown since surprise raids on border posts killed nine policemen last month. Soldiers have killed scores and arrested many more in their hunt for the attackers, who the government says are radicalised militants.
Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace prize winner, has faced growing global criticism for not stopping the military campaign, which has sent nearly 20,000 Rohingya over the border to Bangladesh.
In a note to correspondentsissued by the Office of the UN spokesperson, Nambiar yesterday said the UN is "seriously concerned" by the developing situation in Rakhine state and has called on the security forces to act in accordance with the "rule of law and accepted international norms."
Nambiar, who has served as Chef de Cabinet to the secretary-general and was India's permanent representative to the UN, called on Suu Kyi to reflect on the situation, listen to her "inner voice" and speak directly to the people of Myanmar, asking them to rise above their ethnic, religious and other differences and to advance human dignity, harmony and mutual cooperation between all communities.
"I also appeal to Daw Suu to visit Maungdaw and Buthidaung and reassure the civilian population there that they will be protected," he said, calling on all communities in Myanmar to jointly oppose the violence, disunity and division being instigated by a group of criminal elements in the region.
The UN's latest call follows last month's visit by nine local ambassadors, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, and various UN agencies to the Rakhine state.
Nambiar also supported former UN chief Kofi Annan's call for "unimpeded humanitarian and media access and strengthened efforts to defuse tensions" in the country.
He underscored that those who fled or suffered displacement should be allowed to return. "In this volatile situation," he warned, "it is everyone's responsibility to handle allegations and rumours with great care."
He emphasised on Suu Kyi's promise to address the root causes of the crisis - namely, citizenship and status. "I call upon all parties, groups and stakeholders to engage in urgent consultations to defuse the situation and get back to the negotiating table," he said.
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