Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's Written Reply to Parliamentary Question, 6 May 2019

QUESTION

Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) whether there is any indication of human trafficking syndicates operating within ASEAN targeting the Rohingya people; and (b) if so, what coordinated steps can ASEAN Member states take to stop, prevent, and deter such human trafficking.

REPLY

1 We have no specific information on any human trafficking syndicates operating within ASEAN that are targeting displaced people from Rakhine State. However, we are aware of reports by the international media and UN agencies on cases of trafficking of the refugees in the settlements at Cox’s Bazar, including those trying to make their way from Bangladesh to third countries. Bangladesh and the UN have made conscientious efforts to host the refugees. But this is not a sustainable situation. The problems faced by these refugees will continue to fester, including the risk of human trafficking.

2 The situation in northern Rakhine State is further complicated due to the ongoing armed conflict involving the Arakan Army. ASEAN will continue to support the efforts to create conducive ground conditions for repatriation to begin. The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) has sent a needs assessment team to Rakhine State. It is ultimately the responsibility of the Myanmar government and the respective stakeholders to formulate a viable and durable political solution that addresses this longstanding and complex problem.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

6 MAY 2019