REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- An unclear citizenship status has been a problem for Rohingyas since decades, Indonesia's international law expert Hikmahanto Juwana stated.

"The problem faced by Rohingyas since decades is not related to religion but the lack of clarity on Rohingyas' citizenship status in Myanmar," Juwana remarked here on Tuesday.

Various officials and global leaders claim that Myanmar has been conducting an ethnic cleansing campaign against the Rohingya Muslim minority, he stated.

"Ethnic cleansing is considered a crime against humanity, and it is an international crime," he said.

The Rohingya issue is not related to the problems in bilateral relations between Indonesia and Myanmar.

"So far, the relations between the two countries are fine, and there is no friction whatsoever," he said.

Hence, recalling the Indonesian ambassador to Myanmar was not an appropriate step.

"The problem occurring in Myanmar should not be used as ammunition to delegitimize the Jokowi-JK government," he emphasized.

Indonesia is committed to resolving the Rohingya conflict by sending Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi to Myanmar to put a halt to the violence and murders committed against the Rohingya ethnic community.

Also read: Suu Kyi welcomes Indonesia's proposal to resolve Rohingya humanitarian crisis

During an earlier visit to Myanmar, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi had emphasized the importance of de-escalating tensions in Rakhine State amid the ongoing armed skirmishes in the region.

"The efforts to de-escalate the situation in Rakhine State should be the main priority of the Myanmar security authority," Marsudi stated in a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received here on Monday.

The message of de-escalation was conveyed by the Indonesian minister in front of Senior General U Min Aung Hlaing, the commander in-chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces.

Marsudi's meeting with Hlaing lasted for over an hour, kicking off a series of meetings with officials of the Myanmar authority to discuss the humanitarian crisis in the country's Rakhine State.

During the meeting, Marsudi, who arrived in Myanmar on Monday morning, was briefed by Hlaing on the recent developments and situation in Rakhine State. He noted that the Myanmar authority will continue its efforts to restore security and stability in Rakhine State.

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