Rohingya solutions proposed to be regional agenda

BANGKOK, May 28 (TNA) - An academic has proposed that solutions to Rohingya-related problems be put on regional agenda for joint actions. Sriprapha Phetmeesri, a lecturer at the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies of Thailand-based Mahidol University, voiced the proposal at a public forum on the fate of ethnic Rohingya Muslims, organized by the Thai Journalists Association in Bangkok on Thursday. Sriprapha also suggested that Thailand allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to define the status of Rohingya migrants so that it becomes easier to manage and supervise the migrants. The Thai lecturer expressed her disagreement with continual attempts to push Rohingya migrants away, pointing out that their human rights should be respected and supported by the principle of humanitarianism. Siwawong Sukthawee, an international migration coordinator, opined, meanwhile, that the Special Meeting on Irregular Migration in the Indian Ocean, to be hosted by Thailand on May 29, might not come up with a clear solution. However, Siwawong pointed out, Friday's meeting should show the significance of migration problems in the region. Senior officials from 17 countries will attend the May 29 international meeting, including those from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Bangladesh, as well as those from three international organizations, including UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); while those from Switzerland and the United States will participate in Friday's meeting as observers. (TNA)