YANGON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar government's Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, chaired by former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, has submitted an interim report and recommendations on the regional issue to the government, said the commission member Ghassan Salame Thursday.
Read by Salame to the press, the commission's interim report said the nature of the crisis facing Rakhine state has changed to the attacks of Oct. 9, last year and the subsequent security operations.
The commission proposed a series of measures to address the situation in Rakhine state, which include a renewed call for unimpeded access for humanitarian actors and journalists to the affected areas in northern Rakhine and for independent and impartial investigation of the allegations of crimes committed on and since Oct. 9, last year.
The commission believes that the perpetrators of these crimes must be held to account. The recommendations also include proposals relating to the protection of rights, freedom of movement, enhanced economic and social development and the edification of Rakhine's cultural heritage.
The commission recommended that a number of unresolved concerns surrounding the verification of citizenship be clarified and resolved without delay.
The commission stressesd that inclusive access to healthcare and education for all the people in Rakhine requires attention and improvement.
The commission viewed that creating conditions conducive for inter-communal dialogue, representing and participation in public life are essential to ensure that Rakhine state is spared from recurring cycles of violence and destruction.
In developing the interim recommendations, Salame said the commissioners have undertaken a wide range of consultations with stakeholders including Bangladesh, believing that bilateral cooperation with the neighbor on security and economic matters is critical as is the outreach to ASEAN members.
The report said the consultations will continue as the commission will work to produce the final report to be presented later this year.
Tension was going on in the northern state, especially after last year's Oct. 9 violent attacks by armed men on three border posts in Maungtaw.
Annan has been in the state since Nov. 29 listening to the voices of local officials and residents as part of the process to compile the report.
Annan's nine-member advisory commission was formed by the Myanmar government in August last year with aim of resolving the protracted Rakhine regional issue.
The commission was to undertake assessments and make recommendations by focusing on conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance, rights and reconciliation, institution building and promotion of development of Rakhine state.
Meanwhile, the government also formed a separate 13-member investigation commission, led by First Vice President U Myint Swe, to probe into the background of last year's Oct. 9 violent attacks by armed men on the three border posts in Maungtaw
The said commission was originally tasked to report to the president on Jan 31, 2017. However, the overall report was postponed for release due to the fact that new acquisitions concerned with human right abuses were appearing in Rakhine state.
