Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called for the establishment of a “safe zone guaranteed by the UN” in Myanmar’s Rakhine state to protect displaced Rohingya and other vulnerable groups. The proposal, aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis, was discussed during a meeting with Thomas Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, held in Dhaka on Monday.
Dr. Yunus stressed that the creation of a UN-backed safe zone in Rakhine would be a crucial first step in preventing further displacement and reducing the number of Rohingya refugees entering Bangladesh. “It could be a good beginning to resolve the crisis in Rakhine and prevent thousands of new refugees from crossing into Bangladesh,” he said. Bangladesh already hosts over a million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, and recent weeks have seen an influx of another 30,000 Rohingya fleeing renewed violence in Rakhine.
The call for a UN-enforced safe zone follows the worsening humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, where ongoing conflict between insurgent groups and the military has led to the displacement of at least 3.1 million people. Rakhine state, home to a large portion of the Rohingya population, has been particularly affected by violence, leading to widespread starvation and a lack of basic aid for those trapped in the region.
Thomas Andrews praised Dr. Yunus for his proactive approach and his three-point proposal to address the Rohingya crisis, which was presented on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last month. Andrews agreed that the situation in Rakhine is dire, noting that humanitarian aid is urgently needed for displaced communities, especially the Rohingya.
Dr. Yunus also urged the international community, including ASEAN, to take action against the ongoing violence and to support efforts to protect the displaced populations in Myanmar. He highlighted that a collective international response is needed to address the long-term challenges facing the Rohingya.
In addition to discussing the need for a safe zone, Dr. Yunus sought the support of the UN Special Rapporteur in expediting the resettlement of thousands of Rohingya refugees to third countries. This resettlement effort, he emphasized, could offer a more permanent solution for Rohingya refugees who have no prospects of returning to their homeland in the near future.
The meeting also touched upon the ongoing ICC investigations into the atrocities committed against the Rohingya in 2017 and the role of the international community in seeking justice for the victims. Dr. Yunus expressed his support for the investigations and urged the ICC to continue its efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.
As the violence in Rakhine continues to force more Rohingya to flee their homes, the call for a UN-backed safe zone offers hope to those trapped in Myanmar without protection. For the Rohingya, securing such a safe zone could mark the beginning of a long-awaited solution that ensures their safety and dignity, while reducing the pressure on Bangladesh, which has shouldered much of the burden in the absence of a permanent resolution to the crisis.
