UK welcomes announcement of Kofi Annan Commission

Asia Minister Alok Sharma has welcomed the announcement that Kofi Annan will lead a new commission into the treatment of the Rohingya community in Rakhine state, Burma.

Mr Sharma said:

I welcome the announcement by the Burmese Government of a Rakhine Commission headed-up by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Since coming to power in April, Burma’s government has taken encouraging steps to begin tackling the issue of Rakhine and the treatment of the Rohingya community. The announcement of this important Commission is a further sign of the seriousness with which the NLD-led government views the situation there.

Rakhine is a pressing issue for the new government in Burma. Burma has gone through a remarkable transformation in recent years. Successful completion of this will require that basic rights and freedoms, security and opportunities for prosperity can be enjoyed by all communities.

The UK has long been one of the biggest bilateral humanitarian donors to Burma and to Rakhine State. We remain ready to help.

It is clear that a long and difficult process lies ahead. The problems of Rakhine are many and complex, and there are deeply entrenched views on both sides. But I hope that this Commission, along with the Government’s other recent initiatives, marks the start of a real change for the better for all the people of Rakhine State.

This post is in: Press Release