Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus calls for ‘repartition of Rohingyas’ in UN General Assembly

Muhammad Yunus reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to collaborating with all world leaders to uphold the rights and dignity of the Rohingya people, emphasising the importance of a political resolution to the crisis.

New York: The 5th Chief Advisor of the interim government in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, highlighted the urgent need for the repatriation of Rohingyas during the high-level meeting of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.  During the UN event in New York, Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus stressed over significant challenges that Bangladesh has been facing due to the presence of over 1.2 million displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar. He noted that citizens of Bangladesh have shown empathy towards hosting Rohingyas, the costs associated with this situation- social, economic and environmental- are considerable. He also emphasised that Bangladesh has reached its limits and repartition is the only solution to the ongoing crisis. 

Yunus stated that, “Despite hosting the Rohingyas with great empathy, a densely populated Bangladesh has been incurring so much in terms of social-economic-environmental costs. These culminate in a series of traditional and non-traditional security risks for us. Much of our own development gains are at stake. Clearly, Bangladesh has reached its limits. Therefore, as much as Bangladesh engages in humanitarian aspects or ensuring justice, repartition of the Rohingyas remains the only sustainable solution to the protracted crisis.” 

He also noted that despite several international resolutions called for conducive conditions for the safe return of the Rohingyas, Myanmar has not addressed the return of a single Rohingya to their homeland. 

“Several UN General Assembly, Human Rights Council and even Security Council Resolutions on Myanmar have asked for creating a conducive environment for the dignified, safe and sustainable return of the Rohingyas. Regrettably, with the root causes of the crisis in Myanmar not addressed in the last seven years, not a single Rohingya could return to their homeland,” Yunus alleged

“The overall scenario leaves the forcibly displaced Rohingyas, their hosts and the global partners with lingering uncertainties while the focus and humanitarian support for the Rohingyas dwindle. The presence of a sizable young population in the camps potentially creates another layer of complexity to the crisis,” he further added.

Muhammad Yunus expressed deep concerns over the deteriorating security conditions in Myanmar, which includes sporadic fighting and criminal activities. He also emphasised the need for an inclusive society in Myanmar where all ethnic groups can live peacefully and called world leaders to work together to address the root cause of the crisis and support the UN Special Envoy in coordinating political efforts. 

“We are concerned over the deteriorating security situation and instability in the bordering region, including sporadic group fighting and criminal activities. Our law enforcement agencies and people, together with the international community, have so far been able to maintain peace and stability in the camps. So this crisis in Rakhine State merits careful revisit,” Yunus said.

“Creating an inclusive society in Myanmar is key where all ethnic communities can live in peace and harmony. All international, regional, and national actors, including the UN Security Council, ASEAN and other friends of Myanmar, need to acknowledge and incorporate it in their approach. We would ask the UN Special Envoy to play a central role, particularly in coordinating the political efforts,” he further added.

Following this, Muhammad Yunus presented three key proposals to address the situation, where he called for an all-stakeholders conference on the Rohingya crisis to review the situation and suggest innovative solutions. He also stated that the Joint Response Plan, managed by the UN and Bangladesh, should be revived in order to address the sliding funding situation for humanitarian aid. He further insisted that the Joint Response Plan, managed by the UN and Bangladesh, should be revived to address the sliding funding situation for humanitarian aid. He called for support, justice and accountability mechanisms for “genocidal crimes” committed against the Rohingya community. 

Yunus concluded by reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to collaborating with all world leaders to uphold the rights and dignity of the Rohingya people, emphasising the importance of a political resolution to the crisis.

(With ANI Inputs)