By: Camp Correspondent
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh – March 11, 2025
Ten international human rights organizations have urged the United Nations (UN) to press Bangladesh to accept newly arriving Rohingya refugees fleeing the escalating conflict in Myanmar.
In a letter sent to UN Secretary-General António Guterres on March 10, the groups emphasized the need for Bangladesh to officially recognize the new arrivals as refugees and provide them with urgent humanitarian aid.
Call for Protection and Humanitarian Support
Among the signatories of the letter are Human Rights Watch and Fortify Rights, which included this demand as part of an 11-point request regarding Bangladesh’s policies on the Rohingya crisis.
The letter comes ahead of Guterres’ scheduled visit to Cox’s Bazar on March 14, where he will assess the living conditions of Rohingya refugees.
The human rights organizations have urged Bangladesh’s interim government to work with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to recognize and assist newly arrived Rohingya refugees.
They stress that all Rohingya refugees, both new and existing, should have access to essential humanitarian support, including:
- Food and shelter
- Medical care
- Education
- Freedom of movement
The letter also raises concerns over forced repatriation, warning that Rohingya refugees must not be sent back to Myanmar against their will or relocated to unsafe conditions.
Myanmar Remains Unsafe for Repatriation
Despite Bangladesh’s stance that repatriation is the only long-term solution, human rights organizations argue that Myanmar remains unsafe for Rohingya refugees to return.
The ongoing conflict in Rakhine State has left many Rohingya villages destroyed, with reports of forced recruitment, land confiscation, and military operations targeting civilians.
“The current situation in Myanmar does not guarantee the safety of Rohingya refugees who may be forced to return,” the letter states.
Rohingya communities and advocacy groups have repeatedly expressed concerns over Myanmar’s lack of security guarantees and the continued denial of citizenship and basic rights for Rohingya people.
UN Secretary-General’s Visit to Cox’s Bazar
As part of his annual Ramadan solidarity tour, António Guterres will visit the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar on March 14, accompanied by Bangladesh’s interim leader, Professor Muhammad Yunus. The visit aims to:
- Assess humanitarian conditions in the camps
- Engage with Rohingya refugees and host communities
- Strengthen international support for the ongoing crisis
Guterres is expected to urge world leaders to increase humanitarian funding as food assistance cuts and aid shortages continue to threaten nearly one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
Global Call for Long-Term Solutions
As the crisis enters its eighth year, human rights groups and Rohingya advocacy organizations are calling for stronger protections and a comprehensive plan for long-term solutions.
While Bangladesh continues to host the largest stateless refugee population in the world, the global community is being urged to:
- Ensure humanitarian aid does not decrease
- Provide education and legal protections for Rohingya refugees
- Pressure Myanmar to create conditions for safe, voluntary repatriation
With increasing arrivals of new Rohingya refugees, the future remains uncertain, but international groups are pushing for immediate action to prevent further suffering and displacement.
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