UN secretary general thanks Bangladesh for letting Rohingya refugees in

Deeply concerned about the security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday praised the decision of Bangladesh to allow refugees to enter the country from across the border. “Nearly 125,000 people—victims of unbearable suffering and desperation -- have sought refuge in Bangladesh…. I am grateful to the authorities of Bangladesh for their decision to allow refugees to enter the country, and I encourage them to meet the needs of recent arrivals,” Guterres told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York. “I am deeply concerned about the security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. We are all aware of a long-standing history of discrimination, hopelessness and extreme poverty in that State,” he said and condemned the recent attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. Noting that many people have lost their lives trying to flee the violence, he said the grievances and unresolved plight of the Rohingya have festered for far too long and are becoming an undeniable factor in regional destabilisation. The Secretary General said he has written officially to the President of the Security Council to express his concern and to propose various steps to end the violence and address the underlying causes of the crisis. “The international community must undertake concerted efforts to prevent any further escalation and to seek a holistic solution,” he said. Guterres said the authorities in Myanmar must take determined action to put an end to this vicious cycle of violence and to provide security and assistance to all those in need. “I urge them to ensure unhindered humanitarian access for life-saving relief operations,” he said.

Grievances & unresolved plight of Rohingya have festered too long, becoming undeniable factor in regional destabilization -@AntonioGuterres pic.twitter.com/kyXo4KX2t4

— United Nations (@UN) September 5, 2017

The UN Secretary General said that it is no longer possible to delay an effective action plan to address the root causes of the crisis. “It will be crucial to give the Muslims of Rakhine State either nationality or, at least for now, a legal status that will allow them to have a normal life, including freedom of movement and access to labour markets, education and health services,” he said. Meanwhile, Senator John McCain Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to State Counsellor of Burma Daw Aung San Suu Kyi requesting adherence to human rights obligations in response to atrocities being committed by the Myanmar military against the Rohingya people. “For decades, you have been a source of inspiration for all those who seek peace, freedom, and justice,” he said. “The Rohingya community has a long history in Burma and they have contributed significantly to your country’s unique social fabric. They deserve the same rights and protection as Burmese citizens. To move forward, I hope you will work towards a more cooperative relationship with the Rohingya and facilitate a path of genuine reconciliation and reform,” McCain said. “All people of conscience should be alarmed by reports of gross atrocities and human rights abuses being committed by the Burmese military against the Rohingya people as they try to flee the country. The government’s decision to block a U.N. inquiry only adds to concerns over an escalating campaign against these people in the Rakhine state. The violent persecution of the Rohingya not only violates Burma’s international commitments on human rights, but also threatens the remarkable progress the country has made in recent years,” he added in a statement. Aung San Suu Kyi has long been a source of inspiration for all those who seek peace, freedom, and justice, he said adding that it is essential that she actively engages on this issue to ensure that the fundamental rights of the Rohingya people are respected, the military’s brutal repression against them comes to an end, and all human rights violators are held accountable.