Welcoming the Rohingya refugees is not a viable option for Timor-Leste

Third, the current refugee crisis in South Asia involved Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, and Thailand is the product of the policy of the ASEAN's commitment to non-interference in member states' internal affairs. Though one of the principles of the ASEAN Charter is "upholding international law with respect to human rights, social justice and multilateral trade", yet when it comes to implementation, some of the core rules are often overlooked.

For many years, the Burmese government has carried out systematic human rights abuses against the Rohingya community, yet most member states remained silent. Since the crisis unfolded, no head of state within ASEAN, including prominent Human Right Activist and 1991 Peace Prize Winner, Aung San Suu Kyi, have ever come out and vociferously voiced concerns over the issues and, offered immediate solutions. They are adamant and reluctant to finding solutions to the problems while the refugees are dying.

Empirical evidence suggests that the current trigger of conflicts in many developing countries - ranging from wars, hungers, internally displaced people to environmental damage - is direct and indirect consequences of rich countries' foreign policies imposing upon the poor. If this was the case, why should the poor bear the cost? Ultimately, responsibility to protect and care for refugees should lie within the United Nations and the international community, not the other way around.

Hence, right now it is not conducive for Timor-Leste to accept the Rohingya refugees while the government is being overwhelmed with its own national priorities. If democratic and stable governments like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and others cannot resolve the issue, why should Timor-Leste take the responsibility to share the burden? It is, however, plausible for Timor-Leste to contribute ideas and financial supports through the UNHCR to help settling the refugees. Likewise, it is incumbent upon the international community to address the root causes of the problems rather than shift responsibilities around.