Dhaka expects time-bound outcomes from conference on Rohingya in US

Bangladesh has underscored the importance of "practical and time-bound outcomes" from the high-level conference on the Rohingya issue, scheduled to be held in September this year in New York.

"It is the collective duty of the international community to ensure that the rights and dignity of the Rohingya are upheld and the conditions conducive for their return are expeditiously created in Rakhine," said Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative in Geneva.

He made the comment during the adoption of the OIC-led resolution titled ‘The Situation of Human Rights of the Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar’, at the ongoing 59th Session of the Human Rights Council.

The Council adopted the resolution on Friday by consensus.

The 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council started in Geneva on June 16 and will continue until July 9.

“Bangladesh remains committed to working constructively with all partners to find a comprehensive and durable solution to the protracted Rohingya crisis through voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya to Rakhine," the Ambassador added.

Ambassador Islam expressed grave concern that the Myanmar military and armed groups like the Arakan Army are perpetuating cycles of violence, obstructing humanitarian access, and further aggravating the plight of the Rohingya.

He informed the Council that since November 2023 alone, approximately one hundred and eighteen thousand Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh to evade killings, persecution, and violence in Rakhine.

The consensus resolution, expressing grave concern over the diminishing humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya, emphasised equitable burden and responsibility-sharing by the international community in providing assistance to the Rohingya sheltered in Bangladesh.

It also called for providing unhindered and adequate humanitarian assistance within Rakhine by the UN and all relevant humanitarian actors, according to the Bangladesh Mission in Geneva.

The resolution reiterates the need to ensure accountability to end the culture of impunity in Rakhine and underscores the importance of inclusive and participatory governance structures in Rakhine State, with full and meaningful representation of Rohingya Muslims in decision-making processes at all levels.