Topic: The Situation in Myanmar
Country: Ethiopia
Delegate Name: Laura Lynch
School: Royal Oak High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Ethiopia position papers GLIMUN 2018 committees
The situation in Myanmar is deep-rooted, historically the domino effect of a multitude of imbedded societal issues. The build up of these problems in combination with a government that’s embarked on the rocky road to democracy together have combusted, resulting in the violence between the Myanmense government and ethnic-based militant groups that has caused severe harm and a widespread exodus of the country’s civilian population. The violence and actions perpetrated by the government is condemnable, and the humanitarian aid problem that has come from it certainly alarming. However, this situation is not without hope. Ethiopia strongly believes that through reconciliation and structure, the Rohingya people can be repatriated and the long-standing wounds will begin the path to healing Deeply concerned by the information and reports released by the UNHRC investigation, Ethiopia stresses the importance of development regarding humanitarian aid solutions toward the extensive refugee problem, as well as in providing accountability measures to protect the future of Myanmanese citizens. However, we recognize the need for additional, alternative fact-finding missions to take place in order for real progress and acceptance of the Security Council’s decisions to occur. The government of Myanmar has expressed discontentment with the administration that delivered the current fact-finding mission, and with the assumption that we are working off of that basis will not only grow international tension, but assure that our work in committee is devalued. This leaves us in turn with a large matter to discuss: What would the administer of this fact-finding mission look like, and how could we ensure it meets the needs of both the council members as well as Myanmar itself in order to enable true progress? Ethiopia still firmly supports the final report of the advisory commission on the Rakhine State, but recognizes the need for an expedited integration of these solutions. Ethiopia additionally commends and stands behind China’s three-step approach to the conflict, introduced to the council through letter S/2018/880, but would like to discuss ways in committee to make its implementation more sustainable and effective in the long-term. In order to solve these problems, the nation of Ethiopia proposes the composition of a timeline for progress within Myanmar. This timeline would consist of dependencies established by the council, ensuring accountability and providing the UN an accurate measure of the progress occuring. The specific dependencies and benefits reaped from each goal can be thoroughly discussed and determined during committee. The nation of Ethiopia believes that progress should be made through diplomatic action rather than sanctions or intervention so that more tension isn’t added to the region, and so that socioeconomic conditions, the re-establishment of law and order, and a gradual resolving of the refugee problem can occur. Additionally, economic isolation only furthers the problem of inaccessibility in terms of humanitarian aid. In order to de-escalate the situation in Myanmar and reduce the humanitarian crisis, we as a council must continue to address the roots of this conflict in themselves, designing a comprehensive strategy aimed at the addressment of reconciliation, peace, stability and development within the state. A large factor in this conflict is the government's path to democracy and the instability that has grown out of the transition. In order to achieve long-term reconciliation within Myanmar, we as a body must provide direction and aid in terms of stabilization. The actual direction and content of this action must be discussed and agreed upon during committee. In terms of the refugee crisis that has arisen, Ethiopia urges all member states to continue providing full support the efforts of Bangladesh, but recognizes the need for a greater level of both financial and logistical support. Ethiopia strongly supports the Memorandum of understanding forged between the UNDP, UNHRC, and Myanmar, but knows more discussion in committee will have to occur in order to establish more steady solutions on aid toward refugees. The nation of Ethiopia recognizes that without measures in place to ensure the cooperation and implementation of such recommendations the future is left to uncertainty. Ultimately, this issue boils down to accountability in terms of healing and step toward reconciliation, not finger-pointing. Keeping this in mind, we strongly believe that ensuring accountability is vital, and something that can only be done through an independent and transparent verification method. This method would work to ensure progress on established steps toward progress, as well as it would verify the safety of the conditions within Myanmar in order to provide the refugees a safe and consensual return during the process of mutual reparitration. This raises an important point of committee discussion: What would an independent and transparent verification method look like, and how could it be structured as to be acceptable by both the members on this council as well as Myanmar? In our time we must work on comprehensive, long-term solutions that are agreed upon with unity in order to work effectively. Ultimately in order for national reconciliation and healing to occur within Myanmar, two things that are essential to re-establishing peace and security, we must work to provide future-focused solutions to ensure a protection of the Rakhine state and the Myanmanese as a whole, solidifying this situation won’t be repeated. The delegation of Ethiopia looks forward to working with the council to forge long-standing, sustainable solutions for the citizens of Myanmar and their government as a whole.
