World body urges solidarity for forced exodus of Rohingya in Myanmar
By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN on Monday called for greater international solidarity for the Muslim minority Rohingya community after 8 years since the mass displacement of Rohingya from Rakhine state in Myanmar.
UN OCHA said over 700,000 fled to Bangladesh after armed attacks by a militant group against Myanmar security forces sparked a brutal military crackdown that began on 25 August 2017.
They joined thousands who had escaped waves of violence and discrimination living in refugee camps just across the border in the Cox’s Bazar district, OCHA stated.
UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric in a statement marked the day noted that the Rohingya people both in and outside Myanmar are facing a further deterioration of their already dire circumstances.
“In Rakhine State, Rohingya and other civilians are caught in the crossfire between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army and subjected to forced recruitment, human rights violations and other abuse,” he said.
He noted that the ongoing violence has forced more Rohingya to flee, including to Bangladesh which is a hosting over 1 million refugees from Myanmar.
UN stressed that a military coup forced Myanmar’s democratically elected Government from power in 2021, fuelled armed insurgencies throughout Myanmar after a brutal military crackdown on protests.
Mr. Dujarric said reports of push backs, removals and deportations across the region raise serious concerns over potential violations of the principle of non-refoulement and shrinking asylum space.
He added that this is happening after funding cuts which are severely curtailing education, food assistance, healthcare, livelihood opportunities and protection services.
Mr. Dujarric said that UN head Antonio Guterres has called for the protection of all civilians in accordance with applicable obligations under international law.
Guterres also recalled his visit to Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where he witnessed the resilience of Rohingya communities.
He stressed the urgent need for strengthened international solidarity and increased support, in parallel to efforts toward a comprehensive political solution that meaningfully includes the Rohingya and addresses their displacement and the root causes of the protracted crisis.
“The Secretary-General is hopeful that the 30 September High–level Conference on Rohingya and other minorities in New York, as mandated by the United Nations General Assembly, will draw renewed international attention to the urgency of finding durable solutions,” Mr. Dujarric stated
He added that the Special Envoy on Myanmar continues to engage all stakeholders to end the brutal civil conflict and supporting a viable Myanmar-led political process.
Dujarric concluded that this should also lead to the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of the Rohingya to Myanmar.
