Indonesia urges ASEAN to protect Rohingya refugees

Last updated on May 6th, 2021 at 09:13 am

Indonesia has called for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to help ensure the safety of Rohingya refugees.

Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi speaking at the bloc’s virtual meeting, said the voluntary and safe repatriation of the refugees has been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Marsudi said that repatriation still remains the biggest priority and urges Asean to help ensure their return to their home in Rakhine State.

ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi submitted a report on the work in assisting the repatriation process of the refugees in Bangladesh to Myanmar. He also stressed how important that the region help provide basic needs and services in Rakhine State to ensure the well-being of its citizens.

Lim also discussed the importance of providing Equipment support to stimulate the agricultural industry. ASEAN is a 11 member states established on Aug. 8, 1967 which promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration in the region.