Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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488. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures the Government plans to take in defence of the rights of the Rohingya people in Myanmar in view of recent reports (details supplied) of 18,500 persons fleeing to Bangladesh and the widespread burning of Rohingya villages; his views on whether this amounts to ethnic cleansing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37910/17]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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545. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts he is making to encourage the international community to challenge the government of Myanmar and if necessary to take action against it in respect of the ongoing genocide of the Rohingya people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38987/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 488, 491 and 545 together.

I am very concerned by the recent escalation of violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar/Burma, and the plight of the Rohingya people. I condemn the attacks on 25 August by militants and the subsequent violence which has taken place. I am also deeply concerned by the reports of excesses during the security operations conducted by Myanmar's security forces, leading to a massive flow of refugees, and call on security forces to exercise restraint and to protect civilians.

It is also critical that access to humanitarian aid and media personnel is fully restored in this region. It is also important that an impartial, independent investigation into recent events in Rakhine State should be carried out. Ireland supported the inclusion of a reference to the establishment of a UN fact-finding mission in the last resolution on Myanmar/Burma at the UN Human Rights Council; such an investigation will help to ascertain the facts on the ground.

This Government is actively raising its concerns both through our bilateral contacts with the Government of Myanmar and via participation in the EU and UN. Ireland’s Embassy in Bangkok, which is accredited to Myanmar/Burma, is monitoring the situation closely. The Ambassador raised our concerns with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin during a visit to the country in January.

Ireland has also provided development assistance and humanitarian aid to address the needs of people in Rakhine State, including the Rohingya community. Ireland has provided a total of just over €2.7 million in humanitarian assistance to Myanmar since 2012. Our humanitarian response has been channeled through trusted NGO partners, including Trócaire and Plan International Ireland. Ireland continues to monitor this protracted humanitarian situation closely and may allocate additional humanitarian assistance in the coming months, in line with humanitarian needs.

The EU is also working to find a solution both in its bilateral contacts with Myanmar/Burma such as the EU-Myanmar Human Rights Dialogue and via its participation in international fora, including the Human Rights Council, where it has continued to present a resolution on Myanmar/Burma, renewing the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur by another year. Last week High Representative Federica Mogherini issued a statement on the situation, noting that the EU stands in solidarity with the Bangladeshi authorities, who have played a crucial humanitarian role in welcoming the refugees who have arrived as a result of the crisis.

The UN has also been active, particularly the office of the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights, despite the limited access it has been afforded to the conflict region by the Myanmar Government.

Ireland, the EU and the UN all welcome the recommendations of the recently-published final report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State. We urge the Government of Myanmar to begin implementing these recommendations as soon as possible. Addressing the underlying causes, including the elimination of discrimination and statelessness, forms a critical basis for lasting peace and socio-economic development for all the communities of Rakhine State.

We also support the democratic transition which is currently underway in Myanmar/Burma following elections in November 2015. We recognise the positive steps that the new Government of Myanmar/Burma has taken in pursuit of peace and reconciliation, democratic reforms and economic growth.