Lisa Singh (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Attorney General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 506 standing in my name and the name of Senator Watt, relating to the Rohingya people of Myanmar. I would like to add Senator McKim for today, before asking that it be taken as a formal motion.

Leave granted.

I, and also on behalf of Senators Watt and McKim, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes with grave concern that, since 25 August 2017, conflict between Rohingya Muslims and armed forces in Myanmar's Rakhine State has:

(i) caused the death and suffering of many people, almost all of them minorities in Rakhine State,

(ii) forced around 370 000 members of minorities in Rakhine State to flee to Bangladesh since 25 August,

(iii) led to extensive damage to Rakhine State villages, and

(iv) prevented United Nations aid agencies from delivering crucial supplies of food, water and medicine to the region;

(b) further notes:

(i) that Myanmar's Rakhine State is home to more than 1.1 million Rohingya and other minorities, some of whom live in tented camps and rely on United Nations aid for survival,

(ii) the deeply concerning United Nations report of 3 February 2017 documenting atrocities, such as mass killings, rapes and beatings committed against Rohingya and other minorities in Rakhine State, and

(iii) that up to half a million people from minorities in Rakhine State are already living in Bangladesh, which itself is home to widespread poverty and inequality;

(c) echoes:

(i) the Minister for Foreign Affairs' (Ms Bishop) expressions of deep concern regarding the ongoing tensions between minorities in Rakhine State and Myanmar's security forces, and

(ii) the United Nations Secretary-General's, Mr Antonio Guterres, condemnation of violence in Rakhine State, and his calls for all communities in the region to choose a path of peace;

(d) urgently calls upon the Government of Myanmar to recommit to the pursuit of peace and national reconciliation; and

(e) urges the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs to do everything in her power to help alleviate the suffering in Rakhine State.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The foreign minister has registered Australia's deep concerns about the violence in Rakhine state, including the targeting of civilians. Those responsible for atrocities must be held to account. The foreign minister has called for restraint by Myanmar authorities, the protection of civilians and unfettered access for humanitarian workers. The Australian government welcomes Myanmar's commitment to implement the recommendations of the Kofi Annan-led advisory commission. Full humanitarian access must be granted promptly. Australia has provided up to $5 million to help respond to the crisis, bringing Australia's assistance for Rohingya and affected communities in Myanmar and Bangladesh to over $50 million since 2012.

Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What is happening in Myanmar now is absolutely devastating and is a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. The Rohingya people have lived in Myanmar for many, many generations and are now being run out of that country by the Myanmar government and the Myanmar military. Nearly 400,000 people have fled their homes into Bangladesh since 25 August and many more are still hiding in the mountains. Aid agencies are warning of a humanitarian crisis. The Australian people want our government to act. There has been a petition signed by many thousands of people delivered today. On Saturday, over 1,000 people in Melbourne rallied for the Rohingya people. We must publicly call on Aung San Suu Kyi to speak out against the persecution of the Rohingya people and allow access to independent monitors, and Australia must take extra Rohingya refugees.

Question agreed to.