Views: 65

In a strong diplomatic appeal at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Bangladesh has called on the international community to urgently create the necessary conditions for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

The call came during the adoption of a resolution titled “The Situation of Human Rights of the Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar” on 4 July 2025 at the Council’s 59th session in Geneva. The resolution—led by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)—was adopted by consensus.

Speaking at the session, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam, emphasized that while Bangladesh continues to host nearly one million Rohingya refugees, the solution must ultimately lie in safe and sustainable repatriation.

“Bangladesh remains committed to working with all partners to resolve the Rohingya crisis through voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return to Rakhine,” he said.

Ambassador Islam expressed grave concern over the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, especially the violence inflicted by both the Myanmar military and armed groups like the Arakan Army. He reported that approximately 118,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh since November 2023 to escape fresh waves of killings, persecution, and displacement.

The resolution condemned ongoing human rights violations and urged the international community to maintain and increase support for the Rohingya people. It also stressed the urgent need for accountability for past crimes and full humanitarian access in Rakhine State.

A key point of Bangladesh’s statement was the announcement of a major international conference on the Rohingya crisis, to be held in New York in September 2025. Dhaka urged that the conference deliver “concrete outcomes with clear timelines” to address the protracted refugee crisis.

The OIC-led resolution underlined several urgent priorities:

Strengthening humanitarian access to Rakhine State

Ensuring international support for refugee-hosting countries like Bangladesh

Promoting inclusive governance with the meaningful participation of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s political processes

Ending the culture of impunity and pursuing justice for atrocities committed against the Rohingya

Bangladesh’s firm message comes as international attention to the Rohingya crisis continues to wane, while the needs of displaced communities in both Myanmar and Bangladesh grow more urgent by the day.

Source: Statement by Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh in Geneva; UN Human Rights Council Resolution, 4 July 2025, Geneva.

Rohingya Vision News