United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has expressed the hope that the UN Conference in New York in September last week will provide concrete pathways to the resolution of the prolonged Rohingya crisis. He said that the recent cut in financial support to the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh is taking its toll on the provision of essential services, including health and education. Prof Yunus requested Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Tom Andrews to continue his efforts in ensuring the availability of adequate funding. The issues were discussed when Andrews called on Chief Advisor Prof Yunus on Thursday, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Friday. Govt intensifies efforts to bring back Rohingya issue to global forums Andrew lauded the leadership of the Chief Adviser for keeping the Rohingya issue at the forefront of the international agenda. He recalled the successful initiative of the Chief Adviser to convene a UN International Conference on the Rohingyas, which will be held on September 30 at the UN headquarters in New York. "The world is grateful to Bangladesh for its generosity to host and support the Rohingyas and to you for keeping the hope of a lasting solution alive," said Andrews. Prof Yunus seeks Malaysia’s support in resolving Rohingya crisis

UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar Tom Andrews on Sunday said they all, as part of the international community, have a responsibility to support the Rohingya, noting that Bangladesh "cannot and should not" bear this responsibility alone. “A stronger commitment of resources is required for the Rohingya refugees and host communities. And the government of Bangladesh needs and deserves a stronger international partnership," he said while speaking at the end of his first official visit to Bangladesh. The cause of this crisis, and the resolution of this crisis is not in Bangladesh, but in Myanmar, stated the UN expert. Andrews said he looks forward to working with Bangladesh as a friend, to returning here to continue his reporting, and also to continue my conversations and engagement with the remarkable people here. Also read: Solution to Rohingya crisis to help realize free Indo-Pacific: Japan "Most of all, I look forward to returning to a Myanmar where justice, human rights and human decency finally prevail, and I can meet with the Rohingya community not as refugees but as citizens in their own country, Myanmar.”

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Tom Andrews on Monday said Rohingyas want nothing more than safe and dignified to return to their homes in Myanmar, when conditions allow.  “The world must not forget the roughly one million Rohingyas from Myanmar forced to run for their lives from the military’s genocidal attack against them,” said Andrews who began his weeklong visit to Bangladesh. The Special Rapporteur will visit the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, and the island of Bhasan Char - where many Rohingyas have been relocated. READ: Prolonged stay of Rohingyas in Bangladesh is security threat to the region: FM Andrews will meet the representatives of the government, as well as UN officials, representatives of civil society organisations and most importantly members of the Rohingya community. “While the Myanmar junta continues to systematically violate the human rights of the people of Myanmar, it’s critical that the global community support those who’ve been forced to flee their homes in Myanmar for Bangladesh. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to meet with them,” Andrews said. “I’m grateful for the access the Bangladesh government is providing me on this essential mission. This visit will be an important opportunity to meet relevant government officials, international organisations and civil society organisations in relation to Myanmar,” he said. In particular, Andrews said, he looks forward to meeting with the Rohingyas to listen to them, lend support, and work together with them towards sustainable long-term solutions and pursuing accountability for the atrocities the military committed against them in Myanmar. The Special Rapporteur will hold a press conference to share his preliminary observations with the media on December 19. READ: Rohingyas the 'most vulnerable community' in region: Caritas The Special Rapporteur’s findings will form part of his update presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2022.

The United Nations independent human rights expert on Myanmar has called on the Security Council for “decisive and unified action” against the military junta, including targeted sanctions and an arms embargo.