Editorial Desk :
The UN must consider, showing respect to the UN Declaration of Human Rights and other Conventions in this regard, not to recognise and deal with an unelected government. Wherever government is possible without people’s vote, repression is to be a continuous process. They bribe and corrupt all the institutions of good government. Armed struggle is sure to ensue for change of such government. These governments cannot be respecters of human rights and peace. Myanmar government is in an armed struggle with its people. It is buying arms to keep support of arms supplying governments. This hypocrisy should end in the interest of the UN to be effective for world peace and development.
The United Nations has adopted a resolution on the “situation of human rights of Rohingyas and other minorities in Myanmar” for the first time by consensus. It has political value and is a pressure on the country. This time countries that used to create barriers, like Russia and China, seem to want a solution to the Rohingya crisis, said a statement issued by the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York on Wednesday. But how?
The resolution, sponsored by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the European Union in Geneva, demonstrates the international community’s strong resolve to end this crisis. Apart from the member states of EU and OIC, the resolution received significant cross-regional support, with co-sponsorship from USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Japan and Republic of Korea. A total of 107 countries co-sponsored the resolution, the highest since 2017.
Regrettably, Myanmar’s failure to create conditions conducive to voluntary, safe and sustainable return of the Rohingya refugees, has created a protracted crisis in Bangladesh. With no progress in repatriation, the refugee issue has led to various security concerns and remains the cause of instability for the entire region. We hope this resolution would now serve as an impetus to real actions in achieving a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis through their safe and dignified return to their homeland. The UN member states, in the resolution, commended Bangladesh for its generosity in hosting the Rohingyas, and for providing humanitarian assistance to them and also for including them in the Covid-19 vaccination drive. It urged Myanmar to address the root causes of the Rohingya crisis, fulfill its obligations under the bilateral agreements with Bangladesh, and cooperate fully with the Special Envoy of the Secretary General on Myanmar and all the human rights mechanisms of the UN.
Bangladesh had discussions with Russia on the issue while China has taken some initiatives in this milieu. In August 2017, the Myanmar military drove 800,000 Rohingyas into Bangladesh and killed thousands in the crackdown. The total number of Rohingyas in 35 camps now stands over 11 lakh. The UN has not been able so far to speak with a unified voice to put pressure on Myanmar and make sure it complies with the basic demands of the Rohingyas. We hope the international body will now have a stronger stance to compel the military dictators in Myanmar to take back their citizens. The military is for fighting foreign enemy. But in Myanmar army is brave against unarmed people and should be ashamed for it.
