Conclusions on Myanmar in the light of the situation in Rakhine State

Background and further information:

Ministers highlighted the seriousness of the humanitarian and human rights situation in the Rakhine State, including the restrictions on access for humanitarian assistance and the media. They urged authorities in Myanmar to allow refugees to return in safety and dignity.

While ministers reconfirmed the EU's commitment to its Strategy on Myanmar from June 2016, they also decided to scale back the relations with the authorities in the country by suspending pending invitations.

The conclusions were adopted during a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council.

The Council of the European Union adopted on 16 October 2017 a set of conclusions on Myanmar, in the light of the humanitarian and human rights situation in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

• Primary Source

PISM: Bulletin, September 2017: The Persecution of the Rohingya: Challenges to the Transformation of Myanmar http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-persecution-of-the-rohingya-challenges-to-the-transformation-of-myanmar/

EPRS: At a Glance, February 2017: Plight of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar/Burma http://www.europeansources.info/record/plight-of-the-rohingya-minority-in-myanmar-burma/

EUObserver, 12.10.17: [Opinion] EU can still end Rohingya ethnic cleansing https://euobserver.com/foreign/139426

The Independent, 12.10.17: EU to cut ties with Burma over the ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/eu-burma-cut-ties-rohingya-muslims-crisis-ethnic-cleansing-myanmar-rakhine-state-a7997161.html

Euronews, 16.10.17: [Opinion] EU infighting must not weaken international response to ethnic cleansing in Myanmar http://www.euronews.com/2017/10/16/view-eu-infighting-threatens-to-weaken-international-response-to-ethnic

Swissinfo.ch, 16.10.17: Thousands of new Rohingya refugees flee violence, hunger in Myanmar to Bangladesh https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/thousands-of-new-rohingya-refugees-flee-violence--hunger-in-myanmar-to-bangladesh/43598974

Politico, 26.09.17: [Opinion] Desperate Rohingya need European friends http://www.politico.eu/article/desperate-rohingya-myanmar-need-european-friends/

UK: Parliament: House of Commons: Committees: Foreign Affairs Committee: Violence in Rakhine State and the UK’s Response (1st Report 2017-19, December 2017) http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/foreign-affairs-committee/news-parliament-2017/violence-in-rakhine-state-report-17-19/

BBC News, 19.10.17: Myanmar Rohingya: What you need to know about the crisis http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-41566561

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