Canada concerned over plight of Rohingyas

Canada has expressed grave concern over the deteriorating situation over plight of the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities in Myanmar.

"Canada is deeply concerned over miseries of the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities in Myanmar. The killings and gross violations of human rights are the part of a widespread attack against the Rohingya," two Canadian ministers came up with the comments in a joint statement today.

"These are crimes against humanity—and the responsibility for ending the ethnic cleansing falls squarely on Myanmar's military leadership and its civilian government," the statement read.

Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, issued the statement amid the critical situation in Myanmar.

"Once again, we urge authorities to set the condition for the safe and voluntary return of Rohingya refugees and other ethnic minorities to their rightful homes with dignity, where they should live free from persecution and enjoy full equality under the law."

Over the last month, Minister Freeland has spoken to her counterparts from numerous countries regarding the need to work together to exert pressure on the regime to end the violence in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state.

A week ago, the minister also spoke with Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, to emphasise Canada's concern for human rights violations against the Rohingya population and to encourage an end to the violence, according to the statement.

On October 2, Canadian Ambassador to Myanmar participated visited the northern Rakhine with diplomats and representatives of UN agencies, the statement said, adding that this must be the first step in granting urgently needed access to all parts of northern Rakhine for foreign officials, humanitarian and UN agencies as well as the international press.

Minister Bibeau has approved $12.25 million in humanitarian assistance funding to trusted partners in Myanmar and Bangladesh to date in 2017 to meet the needs of the most vulnerable, including the Rohingya women and youth.

However, the international community, including Canada, must do more, according to the statement.

Canada implores the military and civilian authorities in Myanmar to end the violence, allow the full, safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance, and implement the recommendations of the Kofi Annan-led Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, it said.

"We continue to stand ready to support all efforts to build a democratic, inclusive, diverse and stable society in Myanmar," the statement added.