UN adopts Rohingya resolution by consensus: Foreign Minister

For the first time, The United Nations (UN) has adopted a resolution on Rohingya crisis by consensus.

Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen said this on Thursday morning.

Member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union (EU) jointly tabled the resolution ‘The situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar’ on Wednesday.

The adoption of the Rohingya resolution, for the first time by consensus, demonstrates the international community's strong resolve to end this crisis.

In the resolution, the member states commended Bangladesh for its generosity in hosting the Rohingyas, and for providing humanitarian assistance to them and also for including them in the national COVID-19 vaccination drive.

The resolution also recognised the government's efforts and investments in building the facilities in Bhashan char for relocation of a portion of the Rohingya from the congested camps, and in this regard, also welcomed the pacts signed by Bangladesh with UNHCR, the minister said.

The resolution called upon Myanmar to address the root causes of the Rohingya crisis, fulfil its obligations under the bilateral agreements with Bangladesh, and cooperate fully with the Special Envoy of the Secretary General on Myanmar and all the human rights mechanisms of the UN, among others.

It also called for renewal and effective implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)  between Myanmar and UNHCR and UNDP in an effort to create a conducive environment in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. 

“Regrettably Myanmar's failure to create conditions conducive for the voluntary, safe and sustainable return of the Rohingyas, has created a protracted situation in Bangladesh” said Ambassador Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, in her statement.

She highlighted the growing desperation of the Rohingyas with no progress in repatriation that led to several security concerns and cause of instability for the entire region.

“This resolution should now serve as an impetus for real actions in achieving a durable solution to the protracted Rohingya crisis through their safe and dignified return to their homeland in Myanmar,” she added.

A total of 107 countries co-sponsored the resolution, the highest since 2017. Apart from the member states of EU & OIC, the resolution received significant cross-regional support, with co-sponsorship from USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Japan, Republic of Korea, among others.