Myanmar to set up advisory commission on Rakhines

The Myanmar government will establish an advisory commission on the Rakhine state to resolve the protracted regional issue, an official statement said said on Wednesday.

The ministry will sign a MoU with former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for establishing the nine member advisory commission, Xinhua news agency reported.

The commission will comprise three international memebers and six eminent Myanmarese who are respected and neutral individuals, the release said.

To find best possible solutions the commission will undertake meetings with all relevant stakeholders, international experts and foreign dignitaries to hear their views, it said.

The commission will consider humanitarian and development issues, access to basic services, the assurance of basic rights and the security of the people of Rakhine.

The commission will also undertake assessments and make recommendations by focusing on conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance, rights and reconciliation, institution building and promotion of development of Rakhine.

After wide consultations, the commission will submit its findings and recommendations to the government of Myanmar through the State Counsellor and publish its report within 12-months of its establishment.

On March 28, days before the incumbent government was to take office, Myanmar's previous government lifted the state of emergency imposed on western Rakhine state for nearly 4-years since 2012, claiming that since there was no more threat to lives and property of the people according to a report submitted by the state government.

As unrest and violence in Rakhine state escalated then, triggered by communal conflict, the then Myanmar government declared the state of emergency on western coastal state on June 10, 2012.

--IANS

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