Vice-Senior General Soe Win receives Special Representative for Human Rights of EU

Vice- Senior General Soe Win holds talks with European Union’s Special Representative for Human Rights H.E. Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis.

Nay Pyi Taw March 6

Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win received European Union's Special Representative for Human Rights H.E. Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis at Bayintnaung Parlour here yesterday evening.

Also present together with the Vice-Senior General were senior military officers of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army). Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis was accompanied by Deputy General Manager for Asia and Pacific of the European External Action Service Mrs. Paola Pampaloni, EU Ambassador to Myanmar H.E. Mr. Kristian Schmidt and officials.

At the call, Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis discussed exchange of goodwill visits between the EU and Myanmar, coordinated measures in solving the Rakhine issue and an assessment made by 28 countries on Rakhine issue on 26 February 2018. Then, he asked information about the measures taken by security members for peace and stability of Rakhine State after August 2017 and the measures taken for ascertaining whether there was human rights violation or not in a case in which unidentified human remains were found at Inndin Village, Maungtaw Township.

As regards the Rakhine issue, the Vice-Senior General explained the abidance of the Rules of Engagement by all the soldiers of the Tatmadaw from the privates to senior officers in ensuring peace and stability in the area from 25 August to 5 September 2017, situations of holding discussions with evidence of newspapers which released statements in English on investigation whether security forces abided by the prescribed orders and directives and carried out their tasks under the ROE in the terrorist attacks of ARSA extremist Bengali terrorists in Maungtaw region or not in addition to examining the unknown dead bodies at the cemetery of Inndin Village by the investigation team led by Lt-Gen Aye Win of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) with regard to Inndin Village issue, action being taken against the security force members under the law for breaking ROE based on the findings from the investigation, discharging the duty on any matters of the Tatmadaw under disciplines in line with the law similar to that of international armed forces, bitter sufferings of local Rakhine ethnics over NGOs and INGOs for one-sided arrangements and assistance for Bengalis only in Rakhine State from 2012 to 2017, efforts of ICRC only to provide assistance to Rakhine State after the August event of 2017, one-sided presentation and broadcasting of international media in the events in 2012, 2016 and 2017 after turning a blind eye to the real events, terrorist attacks of ARSA extremist Bengali terrorists with a large strength at 30 police outposts, one headquarters of the local military unit and villages of Rakhine ethnics in Buthidaung and Maungtaw regions on 25 August 2017, photo evidences on living situation of many family members of each household of Bengalis in Maungtaw/Buthidaung region, possible situation of those involved in terrorist attacks and a large number of their families who may encourage and involve in the events that about 700,000 Bengalis fled to Bangladesh after the terrorist event regarding the photo evidence,the ARSA extremist Bengali terrorists organized and threatened each Bengali village from October, 2016 to August, 2017, the signing of MoU between Myanmar and Bangladesh on the repatriation of returnees, arrangements of basic buildings, visit of a delegation including EU Ambassador to repatriation camps on October 10, 2017, and coordination on security measures during the exchanges of visits between the home affairs ministers of the two countries. He also explained the facts that Myanmar Government has been ready to reaccept returnee Bengalis since February 23, 2018.

But no one has yet to return to the country either by individual or in group. Bengalis asked for the help from the international community to assist in their repatriation citing various reasons. He explained the facts about the systematic scrutinizing plans of the government and the people under 1982 Citizenship Law and the acceptance of the plans by illegal Bengali migrants, in accordance with procedures and existing laws. ARSA extremist Bengali terrorists have threatened Bengalis not to accept it. They are making efforts to get the direct citizenship status under the name of “Rohingya” ethnic which does not belong to the national races throughout the country’s history. He also discussed the existing laws and procedures pertaining to the citizenship in the international. The Vice-Senior General held a detail talk with the guest for about one and a half hours.

After the call, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win and EU’s Special Representative for Human Rights H.E Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis posed for documentary photo together with members.

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