On Monday, 14 October, the Chief Adviser met with UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, at the Tejgaon office in Dhaka. The meeting focused on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Rakhine state, particularly from the perspective of the Rohingya community.
In a statement issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, it was revealed that Andrews praised the Chief Adviser for proposing three crucial resolutions regarding the Rohingya crisis at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York last month.
During the meeting, Thomas Andrews expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Rakhine state, which has caused massive displacement of Rohingyas and other communities. He emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance for the displaced and starving people. Andrews reported that at least 3.1 million people have been displaced across Myanmar, with thousands still in Rakhine. The region has been the site of long-standing conflict between rebel groups and Myanmar’s military.
He further mentioned that in recent weeks, approximately 30,000 Rohingyas were forced to flee their homes in Rakhine and cross into Bangladesh. Andrews called for the establishment of a safe zone in Rakhine, under the supervision of the United Nations, to protect displaced people. He stressed that this could be a crucial first step in resolving the crisis and preventing more Rohingyas from seeking refuge in Bangladesh.
The Chief Adviser urged engaging ASEAN and the international community to discuss the ongoing violence and displacement in Rakhine. He also requested Andrews’ assistance in speeding up the process of resettling thousands of Rohingya refugees to third countries.
This meeting represents a significant moment from the Rohingya perspective, as it highlights the need for stronger international cooperation to address their dire situation and seek long-term solutions.
