No ‘miracle’ solution at Asian migrant crisis meeting

Thailand hosted a meeting of 17 countries Friday to address an alarming rise in the number of boat people in Southeast Asian waters. The talks were delicate because Myanmar — the country thousands of ethnic Rohingya Muslims have fled amid state-sanctioned discrimination and violence — bristles at any suggestion that it’s largely to blame for the crisis. Delegates faced a tricky balancing act of coming up with steps to tackle a complex issue while making sure Myanmar didn’t boycott the talks. It was the first time in years, if ever, that they have openly discussed the Rohingya crisis — a highly sensitive topic for Myanmar, which has blocked the topic from regional discussion on numerous occasions.

The first result is that it took place at all, with a very comprehensive representation of all the countries — including Myanmar.

International Organization of Migration Director-General William Lacy Swing

The 17 countries came up with 17 “proposals and recommendations” including ambitious steps to improve life in the places people are fleeing. They included “promoting full respect for human rights and adequate access of people to basic rights and services, such as housing, education and health care.” Did Myanmar agree to this overhaul? Top Thai Foreign Ministry official Norachit Sinhaseni’s reply: “That is the aspiration.” The meeting was hailed as a good first step, and the countries agreed to hold more talks. Members of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed to bring the issue to the group’s ministerial meeting on transnational crime. But no date was set for the next round.

With the situation being what it is, if you expect one meeting to resolve it, you’re expecting a miracle.

Top Thai Foreign Ministry official Norachit Sinhaseni

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