On November 17th, Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, visited the biggest refugees’ camp of Bangladesh: the Kutupalong camp in Cox’s Bazar. During the visit, Ms. Mogherini met representatives of humanitarian organisations and a group of women who recently fled Myanmar.
The Rohingya exodus from Myanmar to Bangladesh is a consequence of the political persecutions by Burmese authorities towards this Muslim minority. According to the UNHCR, 615,500 Rohingya refugees have fled violence since the 25th of August, and migrated to Bangladesh.
During this visit, Federica Mogherini claimed “we [ed. the EU] will continue to support them. We will continue to look at ways to mobilise the international community’s support, and we will continue to lead the work of the donor community because we believe that human dignity and people’s lives […] has to be protected”.
Furthermore, following the visit, Ms. Mogherini renewed this concern and encouraged both parties to ”[reach] an agreement on bilateral memorandum of understanding for the repatriation of refugees”, during a speech given at the ASEM’s opening session (EU-Asia meeting) in Nay Pyi Taw, capital of Myanmar.
Also, Federica Mogherini had “an informal meeting” with Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
Jean-Hugue Baraër
For further information:
EEAS. ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, 20-21 November 2017. https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/35656/asem-foreign-ministers-meeting-nay-pyi-taw-myanmar-20-21-november-2017_en
EEAS. Rohingya Refugees: Mogherini in Bangladesh and Myanmar to support solution to crisis. https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/35841/rohingya-refugees-mogherini-bangladesh-and-myanmar-support-solution-crisis_en
Nikkei Asian Review. EU pushes Myanmar for speedy end to refugee crisis. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Rohingya-crisis/EU-pushes-Myanmar-for-speedy-end-to-refugee-crisis
UNHCR. Rohingya Emergency. http://www.unhcr.org/rohingya-emergency.html
