It is good to learn that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), for the first time, has expressed their concern over the violence that was committed against the Rohingyas in Rakhine that has "led to loss of life, injuries, destruction of homes, and displacement of a large number of people." They have urged the Myanmar government to start the process of voluntary repatriation and give the independent inquiry commission, established by the Myanmar government, a full mandate to probe and hold the people responsible fully accountable for the crimes committed against the Rohingyas. We welcome the Asean leaders' stance on this issue, a departure from their policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of the member states. They have considered this issue grave enough to have done so.

Unfortunately, we are yet to see any positive steps taken by Myanmar to start the repatriation process. They must create a congenial environment for the voluntary return of the Rohingyas. The measures proposed by the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, led by late UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, such as reducing poverty among the Rohingyas, improving their basic rights and promoting trust, harmony and reconciliation between the Rohingyas and the broader Myanmar society, etc., must be implemented by Myanmar and the repatriation process must start immediately.

As the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission released its report of violence in Rakhine last month, we hope this would help in investigating the acts of violence and torture against the Rohingyas. Also, we hope the inquiry commission, which is supposed to probe the allegations of human rights abuses in Rakhine, will not be barred in any way from carrying out their investigations, as also stressed by the Asean leaders. Those responsible for the brutal military crackdown on Rohingyas must be brought to task. The responsibility to resolve the crisis lies with Myanmar, plain and simple.