2024-04-07 23:56:48
Mohammad Abdul Muhith, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh appointed to the United Nations, called for urgent steps to be taken to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
He made the call in an open meeting of the Security Council on Friday (April 5) regarding the recent escalation of tensions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State and its impact on civilians, particularly the Rohingya minority.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Khalid Khyari and Director of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Lisa Downton briefed the Security Council on the current situation in Rakhine State. In addition to the member states of the Security Council, the representatives of Malaysia, Indonesia and Bangladesh spoke at the meeting.
Mohammad Abdul Muhith said that the Rohingya crisis of 2017 remains unresolved. Meanwhile, the renewed armed conflict in Rakhine State is putting Rohingya Muslims in the area at risk anew.
Ambassador Mohammad Abdul Muhith said that due to the recent escalation of tension in Rakhine, the repatriation process of Rohingyas staying in Bangladesh is also being disrupted. This process will be started again only if the situation improves.
At this time, he called on Myanmar to show real political will on the Rohingya repatriation issue and work with Bangladesh to implement the return agreement signed in 2017 and 2018.
He also urged the international community, especially regional organizations and regional and neighboring countries, to engage meaningfully and effectively in order to restore peace and stability in Rakhine and assist future returnees to successfully resettle in Rakhine.
Referring to the UN Security Council Resolution 2669, the ambassador said, in order to create a favorable environment in Rakhine, it is necessary to address the root causes of the Rohingya crisis, which are mainly rooted in the existing discriminatory legal and political framework in Myanmar.
“Unless these issues are resolved, bilateral and regional efforts are unlikely to succeed,” he said.
The Ambassador stressed the need to strengthen the UN presence in Myanmar and regular reporting on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2669, ensuring accountability for crimes committed against Rohingya Muslims and implementing agreements and recommendations made at various times to resolve the crisis in Rakhine. In addition, he emphasized the role of international partners in creating an appropriate and sustainable environment for the Rohingya to be established in society as equal to all other ethnic groups in Myanmar.
Noting the negative social, economic, environmental and security problems that Bangladesh is facing due to the prolonged presence of Rohingyas, the Ambassador called on the Security Council to monitor the Rakhine situation regularly and take swift and meaningful steps towards a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis.
Other state representatives who addressed the meeting expressed deep concern over the escalation of conflict and violence in Myanmar. They called on the Myanmar authorities to take all necessary measures to address the root causes of the Rakhine conflict, to create conditions conducive to the safe, sustainable and dignified return of all displaced Rohingya and internally displaced persons. Speakers expressed their support for UN and ASEAN efforts to maintain peace and stability in Myanmar in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2669.
Speakers lauded the humanitarian leadership that Bangladesh is leaving behind by sheltering more than 1 million displaced Rohingyas. They urged everyone to provide necessary humanitarian assistance until the displaced Rohingyas return safely to their homes.