The Rohingya resolution has been unanimously adopted by the United Nations for the first time. Ambassador Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, said that this is a reflection of the strong commitment of the international community to resolve this crisis.
The United Nations adopted a resolution in New York on Wednesday (November 17th) entitled "The Human Rights Situation of Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim and Other Minority Communities."
The resolution was jointly raised by the OIC and the European Union.
The resolution lauded the generosity and humanity shown by Bangladesh in providing shelter and humanitarian assistance to the displaced Rohingya and its inclusion in the national CoVID-19 vaccine program. The resolution also acknowledges the efforts and investments made by the Government of Bangladesh in relocating a section of Rohingyas from the overcrowded asylum camp in Cox's Bazar to Bahasanchar and for this purpose in building infrastructure and other facilities here. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Bangladesh and the UN Human Rights Commission in this regard was welcomed.
The resolution focuses primarily on the human rights situation in Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim and other minority communities and on the context of the state of emergency imposed on 1 February 2021. The resolution called on Myanmar to fully address the root causes of the Rohingya problem, meet the obligations of the bilateral agreement signed with Bangladesh and extend full cooperation to all UN human rights organizations, including the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Myanmar. The resolution calls for a vigilant eye on the ongoing judicial and accountability process.
It welcomed the newly appointed UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Myanmar and called for an action plan involving Myanmar. The resolution called for the renewal and effective implementation of the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Myanmar, UNHCR and UNDP to create a conducive environment for the repatriation of displaced Rohingya in Rakhine State.
Ambassador Fatima said that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina opened the border of Bangladesh for the displaced Rohingyas in 2017 on humanitarian grounds. But it is deeply regrettable that Myanmar's failure to create an environment conducive to the self-motivated, safe and sustainable return of the Rohingya has created long-term problems in Bangladesh. The frustration of the Rohingyas is intensifying due to the lack of progress on repatriation which is creating various security concerns and instability in the region. It is hoped that this year's resolution will serve as an impetus for practical steps to ensure the safe and dignified repatriation of displaced Rohingya to their homeland Myanmar, which will play a significant role in finding a lasting solution to this long-term problem.
This year's resolution is co-sponsored by 108 countries, the highest number since 2017. In addition to the European Union and the OIC, the resolution is supported and co-sponsored by a significant number of countries in various geographical regions, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Japan and South Korea.