The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, spoke out this Saturday in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, about the grave humanitarian crisis facing the Rohingya people and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to collaborating with the country and other nations to find a lasting solution that ensures the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return of this population to Myanmar. Guterres made his visit after touring the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, where he met with the Rohingya community, which has been enduring critical conditions since the start of their persecution in Myanmar.
During a press conference, the Secretary-General highlighted the alarming deterioration of the situation in Myanmar, where violence has intensified and serious human rights violations have been committed, particularly in the state of Rakhine. Guterres called on all parties involved in Myanmar to act with moderation, prioritizing the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law and avoiding incitement to violence and tension among communities. Additionally, he emphasized the need to pave the way for democracy in the country.
Recognizing the complexity of the current context, marked by intense hostilities between the Myanmar army and the Arakan army, Guterres stated that it would be “extremely difficult” to achieve a quick and dignified return of refugees. He underscored the importance of mobilizing support from the international community and neighboring countries to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the violence and promote a dialogue space that favors a democratic solution.
Guterres also emphasized the need to increase humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, suggesting that discussions are underway regarding the possibility of providing assistance from Bangladesh, depending on the cooperation of the conflicting parties. He reported that UN member states are progressing in planning a High-Level Conference on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.
Regarding the inclusion of the Arakan army in future negotiations, Guterres indicated that it is crucial to establish dialogue with this military entity to ensure full respect for the rights of the Rohingya people. While acknowledging that sanctions could be considered as a tool, he explained that their implementation would require the approval of the UN Security Council.
During his visit, Guterres also participated in activities in the context of Ramadan, choosing Bangladesh to express his solidarity with refugees and the host population, highlighting the values of compassion and empathy that this festival represents. He also paid tribute to the peacekeeping personnel of Bangladesh, a country that plays a crucial role in these global operations.
The Secretary-General emphasized the generosity of Bangladesh in hosting over a million Rohingya refugees, warning of the looming humanitarian crisis if urgent action is not taken to secure the necessary financial and political support for refugees and the communities that provide them shelter. He called on the international community to prevent a humanitarian tragedy that could seriously compromise food assistance and put the lives of thousands of people at risk.
Source: MiMub in Spanish