The issuance of the interim report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, which was established by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and led by Dr Kofi Annan, is an important moment for the millions of people who live there, Myanmar, neighbouring countries and the wider international community. The subsequent statement by the Union Government concurring with the report’s recommendations and promising speedy progress towards implementation is a welcome step when it comes to the Government’s commitment to find viable and sustainable solutions to the complex situation in Rakhine State. The recommendations reaffirm earlier EU calls to address underlying causes, including elimination of statelessness and discrimination, providing equal access to education and health care by all communities and lifting impediments to the freedom of movement. The European Union is fully behind the recommendations of the report, which should be implemented swiftly by the Government of Myanmar. To this end, we stand ready to provide support to the Government.
28 February 2025
Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions , CSO Working Group on Independent National Human Rights Institution (Burma/Myanmar)
Progressive Voice is a participatory rights-based policy research and advocacy organization rooted in civil society, that maintains strong networks and relationships with grassroots organizations and community-based organizations throughout Myanmar. It acts as a bridge to the international community and international policymakers by amplifying voices from the ground, and advocating for a rights-based policy narrative.