The S&D Group strongly welcomed the resolution adopted on the plight of Rohingya refugees in the European Parliament today. The resolution expresses the Parliament's concern over the plight of Rohingya refugees and its shock over the findings following the recent exhumations of dozens of bodies from mass grave sites in Southern Thailand.
Speaking on the plight of the Rohingya people, Marc Tarabella, vice-chair delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said:
"The recent discovery of mass graves in Thailand shows the full extent of the horrors facing the Rohingya refugee population. Urgent action needs to be taken by the countries of the region to help alleviate the suffering of this persecuted people. Any lasting solution can only be found through a joint effort of all Southeast Asian countries concerned. Today we have called on these countries to provide at least temporary protection to refugees and to increase efforts to tackle the scourge of people trafficking."
"At the same time, we call on the government of Burma/Myanmar to put an immediate end to all forms of persecution, harassment and intimidation of the Rohingya in the country, and to solve the problem of their legal citizenship status through dialogue, in agreement with them. The European Union should play a leading role in ending the suffering of the Rohingya people through continued humanitarian aid and dialogue with all the concerned nations. We cannot simply let these horrors continue, the time has come to act."
