By Genalyn Kabiling

BANGKOK — The Southeast Asian leaders have called for an independent and impartial probe into the alleged human rights abuse in the Rakhine State to hold those responsible fully accountable.

At the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Bangkok, Thailand, the regional leaders also pushed for a “comprehensive and durable solution” to address the root causes of the Rohingya issue and help refugees rebuild their lives.

“We expect that the Independent Commission of Enquiry established by the Government of Myanmar would seek accountability by carrying out an independent and impartial investigation into alleged human rights violations and related issues,” Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, this year’s ASEAN charmain, said in a statement.

“We also reaffirmed ASEAN’s support for Myanmar’s efforts to bring peace, stability, the rule of law, to promote harmony and reconciliation among the various communities as well as to ensure sustainable and equitable development in Rakhine State,” he said.

Suu Kyi recently formed a four-member independent commission to probe the allegations of rights abuses by government forces in the northern Rakhine State. The Myanmar leader is among the 10 leaders who attended the regional summit in Bangkok over the weekend.

The mass exodus of Rohingya Muslims began in 2017 following a military response to an attack by an insurgent group. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas have sought safety to neighboring Bangladesh after fleeing reported violence and destruction of their homes in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

In the statement, the ASEAN leaders committed the bloc’s “more visible and enhanced role” to support Myanmar in providing humanitarian assistance, facilitating the repatriation process with regard to the situation in Rakhine State, and promoting sustainable development.

They also backed Myanmar’s resolve to ensure safety and security for all communities in Rakhine State as effectively as possible and facilitate the voluntary return of displaced persons “in a safe, secure and dignified manner.”

“We looked forward to the full implementation of the MOU between Myanmar Government, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and to the continued and effective dialogue between Myanmar and Bangladesh to facilitate the repatriation process of displaced persons from Rakhine State,” Prayut said.