Prolonged presence of Rohingya refugees not an option: Bangladesh tells UN

The third committee of the United Nations General Assembly has adopted the annual resolution on the human rights situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar by consensus. 

Jointly tabled by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union (EU), the resolution was cosponsored by 114 countries, marking the highest level of international support since 2017.

“Bangladesh is a small country with a high density of population and very limited resources. Protracted presence of the Rohingyas in our territory is not an option. They must return to their homeland, Myanmar,” the representative of Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN in New York said while addressing the meeting following the adoption of the resolution on Wednesday.

Underscoring the need for improving the situation in Rakhine state by the Government of Myanmar for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Rohingyas to the country, the Bangladesh representative urged the international community, including ASEAN, to continue their support in this regard. 

Till Rohingyas return to Myanmar, she stressed, among other priorities is the need for adequate funding from international partners for those living in temporary camps in Bangladesh.

Given the intensive political polarization amid various global conflicts, the adoption of this year‍‍`s resolution, with an unprecedented level of co-sponsorship, sends a powerful signal of global solidarity and renewed commitment to addressing the Rohingya crisis. 

Bangladesh extended deep appreciation to OIC and EU for their leadership in keeping this important matter high on the UN agenda.

This year‍‍`s resolution highlights several critical developments. 

It commends the generosity and humanitarian support of the Government of Bangladesh in hosting more than 1.2 million Rohingyas including its extensive investments in the Bhashan Char project. 

Referring to the deteriorating political situation in Myanmar, it called upon the country to address the root causes of the Rohingya crisis and create a conducive environment in Rakhine to facilitate voluntary, safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.

It welcomed the recently adopted Security Council Resolution 2669 (2022), in which the Council demanded an immediate end to all forms of violence throughout Myanmar. 

The resolution also called for swift implementation of the ASEAN’s five-point consensus to expedite the repatriation of Rohingya from Bangladesh to Myanmar.  

It noted the ongoing justice and accountability processes and welcomed the developments in the case against Myanmar in the International Court of Justice and the investigation by the Prosecution of the International Criminal Court. 

Above all, the UN member states were urged to continue humanitarian support to the Rohingyas living in Bangladesh in the spirit of responsibility and burden sharing.