Exert pressure on Myanmar, Arakan Army to end Rohingya violence, begin repatriation: Yunus tells UN
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called on the international community to exert “effective pressure” on Myanmar and the Arakan Army to immediately stop persecution of the Rohingya and begin their “expeditious repatriation” to Rakhine.
Speaking at the opening session of the ‘High-Level Conference on the Situation of the Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar’ at the UN Headquarters in New York today (30 September), he also called for a practical roadmap for Rohingya repatriation.
Yunus warned that the plight of the Rohingya continues “eight years since the genocide began”, while international funding for their protection faces “alarming shortfalls”.
“The Rohingya crisis originated in Myanmar. Its solution lies there. The international community must put effective pressure on Myanmar and the Arakan Army to immediately stop persecution of the Rohingya, and start working for their expeditious repatriation to Rakhine. It is the only solution of the crisis. It should not be held hostage to broader reforms in Myanmar,” he said.
The chief adviser said Bangladesh has been “forced to bear huge financial, social and environmental costs” due to the crisis, while criminal activities, including narco-flows into Bangladesh through Rakhine, threaten our social fabric.
Given Bangladesh’s own developmental challenges, including unemployment and poverty, he reiterated that the Rohingyas cannot be employed inside Bangladesh.
“As funding declines, the only peaceful option is to begin their repatriation. This will entail far fewer resources than continuing their international protection. The Rohingya have consistently pronounced their desire to go back home,” he said.
Yunus laid out a seven-point action plan for the international community that includes devising a practical roadmap for safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya with stabilization of Rakhine; exerting pressure on Myanmar and the Arakan Army to end violence and start sustainable repatriation, beginning with recent arrivals and internally displaced persons; mobilising support to stabilise Rakhine and deploy an international civilian presence for monitoring; supporting confidence-building measures for Rohingya integration into Rakhine society and governance; fully funding the Joint Response Plan for humanitarian support; pursuing accountability and restorative justice; and dismantling the narco-economy and combat cross-border crimes.
“The world cannot keep the Rohingya waiting any longer from returning home,” Yunus said, urging global leaders to “act together to resolve the crisis once and for all.” Bangladesh, he added, stands ready to extend its full cooperation in this effort.