The United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously adopted a resolution on the Rohingya crisis on Wednesday during its ongoing 56th session in Geneva. The resolution emphasizes creating a conducive environment in Myanmar’s Rakhine state for the voluntary repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas currently sheltered in Bangladesh. It also stresses the importance of ensuring justice and accountability for the Rohingya community, aiming for a sustainable resolution to the ongoing crisis.
Bangladesh presented the resolution, “The Human Rights Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar,” on behalf of all Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states. The UN Human Rights Council unanimously accepted the resolution today after extensive and detailed negotiations. After the adoption, Ms. Sanchita Haque, Acting Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in Geneva, stated, “It is not feasible for Bangladesh to continue indefinitely providing shelter to such a large number of Rohingyas with limited resources and various constraints.” She further emphasized the importance of the international community’s support in facilitating the repatriation process, highlighting the negative impacts of prolonged uncertainty on the Rohingyas.
The resolution expresses deep concern over the recent violence against Rohingyas in Rakhine, their displacement, and the forced recruitment into various armed forces. It calls upon all parties in Myanmar’s conflict to protect and ensure the safety of the Rohingyas. Additionally, it urges Myanmar to take the necessary measures to maintain stability along its international borders, reflecting concerns over the spillover effects of the conflict on Bangladesh and other neighboring countries.
The resolution praises the government of Bangladesh for providing temporary shelter to the displaced Rohingya population. It also highlights the inadequacy of financial assistance for the Rohingyas and calls on the international community to provide sufficient financial support.
Moreover, the resolution underscores the importance of bringing individuals accused of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other abuses against the Rohingya, including sexual violence, to justice at national, regional, and international levels. It supports the ongoing judicial processes at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. Additionally, it reaffirms the role of the UN Security Council in determining appropriate actions in such situations and welcomes ongoing international efforts to address the crisis.
The resolution also requests the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to report on the progress of implementing the recommendations of the “Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar” to the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly.
This unanimous adoption signifies a significant step toward addressing the Rohingya crisis, emphasizing the need for collective international efforts to ensure justice, accountability, and a sustainable solution for the displaced Rohingya community.
