The head of the UN children’s fund urged Myanmar on Monday to implement the recommendations of a panel on the Rohingya crisis led by former UN head Kofi Annan, saying it had yet to create conditions right for the return of refugees from Bangladesh.

Speaking at a forum in the capital, Naypyitaw, UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore said children from the Rohingya Muslim minority, a persecuted and mostly stateless community from Buddhist-majority Myanmar were living “a precarious and an almost hopeless existence” in camps in neighbouring Bangladesh.

About 730,000 Rohingya have fled Rakhine state, in western Myanmar, since a military crackdown in 2017 after Rohingya insurgents attacked security posts, UN agencies estimate. Tens of thousands remain behind in Rakhine, where they are subjected to restrictions on movement and have limited access to healthcare and education.

Fore said Myanmar’s “commitment” to enacting the recommendations of Annan’s committee – which include ensuring freedom of movement and access to education – would help mend the lives of suffering children.

“We urge the government to seize this moment and translate this potential into reality for all children,” she said on the first visit by a UNICEF head in decades. “Taking these steps will also go a long way towards creating the right conditions for the return of refugees from Bangladesh.”

The Annan commission was created by Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi in 2016 to find long-term solutions to deep-seated ethnic and religious divisions in Rakhine.

But implementation of its recommendations has been beset by crises and setbacks.

A day after the panel issued its report in August 2017, Rohingya insurgents launched attacks on security forces, provoking a military crackdown the UN investigators described as "ethnic cleansing" with "genocidal intent". Myanmar denies the charge.

In mid-2018, a Myanmar minister told Western diplomats that eight of Annan's recommendations — including one that asks authorities to take steps to amend the 1982 citizenship law that had rendered the Rohingya stateless — were problematic and could not be immediately fulfilled.

The commission's recommendations included points urging the government to "immediately expand primary education to the communities in northern Rakhine State, and intensify efforts to ensure that teachers assigned to Muslim villages resume their work, including by providing adequate security when necessary".

It also called on authorities to "ensure that all children in the state have access to education in Myanmar language" and that the tertiary education access is expanded.

In August, UNICEF warned of what it described as a "lost generation" of Rohingya children, with half a million in refugee camps in Bangladesh facing dangers including disease and floods and those still in Myanmar lacking access to proper education.

“We urge that the necessary steps are taken to enable their safe, voluntary and dignified return back to their homes where their rights are respected and they can once again live peaceably with their neighbours,” said Fore.

The head of the UN children’s fund urged Myanmar on Monday to implement the recommendations of a panel on the Rohingya crisis led by former UN head Kofi Annan, saying it had yet to create conditions right for the return of refugees from Bangladesh.

The head of the UN children’s fund urged Myanmar on Monday to implement the recommendations of a panel on the Rohingya crisis led by former UN head Kofi Annan, saying it had yet to create conditions right for the return of refugees from Bangladesh. Speaking at a forum in the capital, Naypyitaw, UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore said children from the Rohingya Muslim minority, a persecuted and mostly stateless community from Buddhist-majority Myanmar were living “a precarious and an almost hopeless existence” in camps in neighbouring Bangladesh. About 730,000 Rohingya have fled Rakhine state, in western Myanmar, since a military crackdown in 2017 after Rohingya insurgents attacked security posts, UN agencies estimate. Tens of thousands remain behind in Rakhine, where they are subjected to restrictions on movement and have limited access to healthcare and education. Fore said Myanmar’s “commitment” to enacting the recommendations of Annan’s committee – which include ensuring freedom of movement and access to education – would help mend the lives of suffering children. “We urge the government to seize this moment and translate this potential into reality for all children,” she said on the first visit by a UNICEF head in decades. “Taking these steps will also go a long way towards creating the right conditions for the return of refugees from Bangladesh.” The Annan commission was created by Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi in 2016 to find long-term solutions to deep-seated ethnic and religious divisions in Rakhine. But implementation of its recommendations has been beset by crises and setbacks. A day after the panel issued its report in August 2017, Rohingya insurgents launched attacks on security forces, provoking a military crackdown the UN investigators described as "ethnic cleansing" with "genocidal intent". Myanmar denies the charge. In mid-2018, a Myanmar minister told Western diplomats that eight of Annan's recommendations — including one that asks authorities to take steps to amend the 1982 citizenship law that had rendered the Rohingya stateless — were problematic and could not be immediately fulfilled. The commission's recommendations included points urging the government to "immediately expand primary education to the communities in northern Rakhine State, and intensify efforts to ensure that teachers assigned to Muslim villages resume their work, including by providing adequate security when necessary". It also called on authorities to "ensure that all children in the state have access to education in Myanmar language" and that the tertiary education access is expanded. In August, UNICEF warned of what it described as a "lost generation" of Rohingya children, with half a million in refugee camps in Bangladesh facing dangers including disease and floods and those still in Myanmar lacking access to proper education. “We urge that the necessary steps are taken to enable their safe, voluntary and dignified return back to their homes where their rights are respected and they can once again live peaceably with their neighbours,” said Fore.

UNICEF chief urges Myanmar to enact Kofi Annan's recommendations on Rohingya crisis

Syria is ready to cooperate with new UN envoy Geir Pedersen as long as he avoids the methods of his predecessor, its deputy foreign minister said in remarks published Sunday.

Pedersen, who assumes the role at the end of November, is the fourth negotiator to have been appointed the UN's special envoy to Syria since the country's war broke out in 2011.

A seasoned Norwegian diplomat, he replaces Staffan de Mistura, who announced he is leaving the post last month after a four-year stint.

"Syria will cooperate with the new UN envoy Geir Pedersen provided he avoids the methods of his predecessor," Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Meqdad said, quoted by Al-Watan newspaper.

It would work with him if "he announces his support for the unity of Syria's land and people and does not side with the terrorists as his predecessor did," he added, referring to rebel groups.

The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has long accused de Mistura of bias during his tenure.

Its opponents have said the change in UN envoy would have little impact on the fate of the country as international will and consensus were lacking.

Yahya al-Aridi, spokesman for the Syrian Negotiations Commission, this week told AFP he hoped Pedersen would be "more decisive" and call things out for what they are.

De Mistura, an Italian-Swedish diplomat, announced he was stepping down to spend more time with his family after four years in the demanding post.

He had been appointed in July 2014 after veteran Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi resigned following two years in the position.

Brahimi stepped in after late UN chief Kofi Annan quit just six months into the role which he described as "mission impossible".

Pedersen was a member of the Norwegian team to the secret negotiations that led to the signing of the 1993 Oslo accords between Israel and the Palestinians.

Syria is ready to cooperate with new UN envoy Geir Pedersen as long as he avoids the methods of his predecessor, its deputy foreign minister said in remarks published Sunday.

Syria is ready to cooperate with new UN envoy Geir Pedersen as long as he avoids the methods of his predecessor, its deputy foreign minister said in remarks published Sunday. Pedersen, who assumes the role at the end of November, is the fourth negotiator to have been appointed the UN's special envoy to Syria since the country's war broke out in 2011. A seasoned Norwegian diplomat, he replaces Staffan de Mistura, who announced he is leaving the post last month after a four-year stint. "Syria will cooperate with the new UN envoy Geir Pedersen provided he avoids the methods of his predecessor," Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Meqdad said, quoted by Al-Watan newspaper. It would work with him if "he announces his support for the unity of Syria's land and people and does not side with the terrorists as his predecessor did," he added, referring to rebel groups. The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has long accused de Mistura of bias during his tenure. Its opponents have said the change in UN envoy would have little impact on the fate of the country as international will and consensus were lacking. Yahya al-Aridi, spokesman for the Syrian Negotiations Commission, this week told AFP he hoped Pedersen would be "more decisive" and call things out for what they are. De Mistura, an Italian-Swedish diplomat, announced he was stepping down to spend more time with his family after four years in the demanding post. He had been appointed in July 2014 after veteran Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi resigned following two years in the position. Brahimi stepped in after late UN chief Kofi Annan quit just six months into the role which he described as "mission impossible". Pedersen was a member of the Norwegian team to the secret negotiations that led to the signing of the 1993 Oslo accords between Israel and the Palestinians.

Ready to cooperate with new UN envoy: Syria

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Friday began a fact-finding visit to Myanmar&#39;s Rakhine province,where the army is being accused of violence against members of the Muslim Rohingya minority.

The escalation of violence in the region in the past few months has resulted in the destruction of villages, civilian casualties and an exodus of refugees to neighbouring Bangladesh.

Myanmar&rsquo;s de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has asked Annan to help find ways to resolve the &nbsp;ethnic and religious tensions between the Rohingya and the country&#39;s Buddhist majority.&nbsp;

The region has witnessed large-scale intercommunal violence in 2012 that left hundreds dead and drove 140,000 people into camps for the internally displaced.

This is Annan&rsquo;s second visit since Suu Kyi appointed him in August to head a special commission that will write and present a report of its findings to the government early next year.

The latest surge in violence was due to the attacks on Myanmar border posts on October 9 that left nine police officers dead.

The motive of the attack and the identities of the attackers are unclear, but in response, the government began military sweeps, leading to a major confrontation in November that saw villagers resisting government intrusion.&nbsp;

The government has cut-off access to the area.

According to a tweet by a spokesperson for Annan&rsquo;s foundation, the former UN chief said in Rakhine today that &quot;security operations must not impede humanitarian access where there is need.&quot;, news agency AP reported.

&quot;I&#39;m not saying there are no difficulties,&quot; Suu Kyi told Singapore&#39;s Channel NewsAsia network today &quot;but it helps if people recognize the difficulty and are more focused on resolving these difficulties rather than exaggerating them so that everything seems worse than it really is.&quot;

Suu Kyi, whose party came to power in March after years &nbsp;of military-backed rule, has been criticized for not acting strongly to curb the violence against the Rohingyas, who generally are not allowed citizenship.

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AP)

Myanmar?s de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has asked Annan to help find ways to resolve tensions between Rohingyas and the Buddhist majority

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Friday began a fact-finding visit to Myanmar's Rakhine province,where the army is being accused of violence against members of the Muslim Rohingya minority. The escalation of violence in the region in the past few months has resulted in the destruction of villages, civilian casualties and an exodus of refugees to neighbouring Bangladesh. Myanmar’s de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has asked Annan to help find ways to resolve the ethnic and religious tensions between the Rohingya and the country's Buddhist majority. The region has witnessed large-scale intercommunal violence in 2012 that left hundreds dead and drove 140,000 people into camps for the internally displaced. This is Annan’s second visit since Suu Kyi appointed him in August to head a special commission that will write and present a report of its findings to the government early next year. The latest surge in violence was due to the attacks on Myanmar border posts on October 9 that left nine police officers dead. The motive of the attack and the identities of the attackers are unclear, but in response, the government began military sweeps, leading to a major confrontation in November that saw villagers resisting government intrusion. The government has cut-off access to the area. According to a tweet by a spokesperson for Annan’s foundation, the former UN chief said in Rakhine today that "security operations must not impede humanitarian access where there is need.", news agency AP reported. "I'm not saying there are no difficulties," Suu Kyi told Singapore's Channel NewsAsia network today "but it helps if people recognize the difficulty and are more focused on resolving these difficulties rather than exaggerating them so that everything seems worse than it really is." Suu Kyi, whose party came to power in March after years of military-backed rule, has been criticized for not acting strongly to curb the violence against the Rohingyas, who generally are not allowed citizenship. (WION with inputs from AP)

Myanmar: Kofi Annan begins fact-finding visit to troubled Rakhine

Hundreds of Buddhist hardliners rallied against the former United Nations chief Kofi Annan who visited the Rakhine state of Myanmar today to find a sustainable solution to the religious conflict between the country&#39;s Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims.&nbsp; 
 
Rakhine, which borders Bangladesh, has been fraught with religious and ethnic tensions since 2012 when violence between the Rakhine Buddhists and the minority muslim community first flared up. 
 
The conflict has led to the displacement of tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims, who have been denied citizenship and are not identified as ethnic Muslim minorities.&nbsp; 
 
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been leading the country as state counselor and foreign minister since March, has drawn criticism for not being able to alleviate the Rohingya plight. Questions have also been raised on her stance on human rights. &nbsp; 
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<h5>Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been leading the country as state counselor and foreign minister since March, has drawn criticism for not being able to alleviate the Rohingya plight. She had asked Kofi Annan to lead the&nbsp;advisory commission.</h5>
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Suu Kyi had asked Annan to lead an advisory commission. The protesters denounced the panel and even followed the convoy into the town where Annan will deliver a speech during his two-day visit in the capital state Sittwe. 
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&quot;I don&#39;t want to see foreigners involved in this commission. I want to see a commission involving people of the Rakhine nationality,&quot; Kyaw Zin Wai, a 52-year-old carpenter told Reuters, adding that the two ethnic Rakhine commission members were not &quot;representative&quot; of people in the state.&nbsp; 
 
The protest was called by some leaders in the state&#39;s powerful Arakan National Party (ANP), which has criticised the commission, insisting that foreigners cannot understand the history of the area, according to Reuters.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We want him to come,&quot; Hla Kyaw, a Rohingya man living in The Chaung IDP camp, told AFP.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;If he comes, we will raise the issue of our citizenship status and our plight of staying in IDP (internally displaced persons) camps for four years,&quot; he added. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Buddhist hardliners rallied against an advisory commission that aims to find a sustainable solution between them and Rohingya Muslims

Hundreds of Buddhist hardliners rallied against the former United Nations chief Kofi Annan who visited the Rakhine state of Myanmar today to find a sustainable solution to the religious conflict between the country's Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims. Rakhine, which borders Bangladesh, has been fraught with religious and ethnic tensions since 2012 when violence between the Rakhine Buddhists and the minority muslim community first flared up. The conflict has led to the displacement of tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims, who have been denied citizenship and are not identified as ethnic Muslim minorities. Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been leading the country as state counselor and foreign minister since March, has drawn criticism for not being able to alleviate the Rohingya plight. Questions have also been raised on her stance on human rights. Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been leading the country as state counselor and foreign minister since March, has drawn criticism for not being able to alleviate the Rohingya plight. She had asked Kofi Annan to lead the advisory commission. Suu Kyi had asked Annan to lead an advisory commission. The protesters denounced the panel and even followed the convoy into the town where Annan will deliver a speech during his two-day visit in the capital state Sittwe. "I don't want to see foreigners involved in this commission. I want to see a commission involving people of the Rakhine nationality," Kyaw Zin Wai, a 52-year-old carpenter told Reuters, adding that the two ethnic Rakhine commission members were not "representative" of people in the state. The protest was called by some leaders in the state's powerful Arakan National Party (ANP), which has criticised the commission, insisting that foreigners cannot understand the history of the area, according to Reuters. "We want him to come," Hla Kyaw, a Rohingya man living in The Chaung IDP camp, told AFP. "If he comes, we will raise the issue of our citizenship status and our plight of staying in IDP (internally displaced persons) camps for four years," he added. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Myanmar Buddhists protest against ex-UN chief Kofi Annan's peace mission

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UNICEF chief urges Myanmar to enact Kofi Annan's recommendations on Rohingya crisis

Ready to cooperate with new UN envoy: Syria

Myanmar: Kofi Annan begins fact-finding visit to troubled Rakhine

Myanmar Buddhists protest against ex-UN chief Kofi Annan's peace mission