UNSC asks Myanmar to step up efforts for Rohingya return from Bangladesh

The United Nations Security Council has urged Myanmar government to step up their efforts to create conditions that will allow Rohingyas to return home from Bangladesh.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 24 July 2018, 07:54 PM
Updated : 24 July 2018, 07:54 PM

The council in a statement following closed briefings also stressed that progress is also needed by Myanmar on implementing agreements on relations with the UN refugee and development agencies and with Bangladesh on returning Rohingya.

Rohingya face both official and social discrimination in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, which denies their citizenship and basic rights for decades.

They have been fleeing ‘ethnic cleansing’ in the Rakhine State and taking shelter in Bangladesh over the years.

With the latest crackdown on Aug 25 last year, the number of Rohingyas in Bangladesh’s camps stood over 1 million.

The members of the Security Council continued to stress the importance of undertaking independent and transparent investigations into allegations of human rights abuses and violations.

On Monday they were, for the first time, briefed by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener.

They expressed strong support for the special envoy in her work to address the crisis, and to deepen Myanmar’s partnership with the United Nations.

The members of the Security Council also heard briefings from Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees Volker Turk, UNCHR, and Claire Van der Vaeren, Director for Country Office Liaison and Coordination for Asia-Pacific, UNDP.

The briefers provided a comprehensive overview of the current situation, including as regards UN access to those in need.

They emphasised the need to step up efforts, including through providing assistance to the social and economic development, to create conditions conducive to the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes in Rakhine state.

The members also called for making progress in facilitating implementation of the MOU with UNHCR and UNDP, and MOUs and arrangements between Myanmar and Bangladesh.

They noted the decision of the government of Myanmar to establish an Independent Commission of Inquiry on May 31.