Rohingya refugees forced to flee Myanmar must not be forced to return home until their safety can be guaranteed.
Labor welcomes the current UN mission to Bangladesh and Myanmar as a crucial step towards resolving the humanitarian crisis which has forced almost 700 thousand people to flee their homes.
Labor is deeply concerned at the human rights abuses in Myanmar which the UN has previously described as "textbook ethnic cleansing", with numerous, reputable reports of killings, rape and arson targeting the minority Rohingya people in Myanmar.
The international community must continue to bring pressure to bear on the whole of Myanmars Government as well as the military. The Myanmar Government must allow independent examination of claims of human rights abuses in Rakhine State, and hold those responsible for abuses to account.
While it is ultimately in the best interests of Bangladesh, and for the hundreds of thousands now living in makeshift camps to be able to return to their homes, it would be unwise for any Rohingya refugees to return to Myanmar until it is safe for them to do so.
Labor welcomes the pledge to provide an additional $15 million in the May budget for humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya crisis and urges the Government to closely examine the report of the UN team to determine what additional assistance Australia can offer to assist Bangladesh to cope with the humanitarian crisis on its border.
Authorised by Noah Carroll ALP Canberra.