Momen urges UN to take immediate steps to resolve Rohingya crisis
Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen has urged the United Nations (UN) to take immediate steps to resolve the Rohingya crisis and help these displaced people return to their place of origin in Rakhine state with dignity.
The foreign minister also recalled the efforts of the international community, including the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council in keeping the issue of Rohingya alive; while the efforts of the Security Council have always fallen short of concrete action.
He expressed the hope that the council will fulfil its charter obligations and take urgent measures to resolve the crisis in Myanmar so that the Rohingya people can return to their homes with safety, security and dignity.
He also urged the regional countries and other stakeholders in playing their due role.
“We’ve always called for international community’s active role in resolving the political aspects of the Rohingya problem; addressing the root causes and most importantly fulfilling their fundamental right to return to their homes in safety, security and dignity,” said the foreign minister at a high-level virtual discussion on Tuesday organised by Bangladesh permanent mission to the UN in New York.
AK Abdul Momen made the remarks while presenting the keynote speech note in an event titled “The current situation in Myanmar: implications for Rohingya Minority”. The even was cosponsored by the permanent missions of Canada, Saudi Arabia and Turkey and the Global Centre for Responsibility to Protect. The president of the General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir joined the event to share experience from his recent visit to Cox’s Bazar.
The foreign minister recalled the bold decision and humanitarian gesture of prime minister Sheikh Hasina to provide shelter to the over a million Rohingya, as they fled atrocities in Myanmar, and the efforts of the government to ensure the wellbeing of Rohingya despite severe resources and space constraints.
Referring to the newly established accommodation facility for the Rohingya in Bhashan Char, AK Abdul Momen said that after thorough assessment the UN and the development partners have expressed satisfaction with the arrangements in Bhashan Char and are now considering opening their operations in Bhashan Char.
The panellists commended the government of Bangladesh profoundly for its remarkable humanitarian gesture and expressed their support in resolving the Rohingya crisis in a sustainable manner.
They all recognised the need to address the root causes of the Rohingya crisis which lie in Myanmar, and support the ongoing accountability processes to ensure justice to the victims of human rights violations in Myanmar.