UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix has said the United Nations is fully committed to helping Rohingyas and ensuring their safe and voluntary return to Myanmar.
"The UN is fully committed to helping these people,” he said adding that there is also strong commitment by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres who takes a personal interest in this issue and helps in many ways.
Lacroix made the remarks while responding to questions at a press conference at a city hotel Sunday night.
He recognized the “immense generosity” of Bangladesh in opening its border for Rohingyas, and mentioned that there is a strong mobilization of support by humanitarian actors.
Asked about possibility of deploying peacekeepers in Rakhine State, he answered that doing so in any place requires a decision by the UN Security Council and consent from the host country.
Lacroix mentioned that peacekeeping is not the only solution to the crisis in Rakhine, as there are many ways to resolve it—including addressing the political dimension of the crisis.
He said the UN chief will be visiting Bangladesh in a few days and a significant purpose of his visit will be the Rohingya issue.
On peacekeeping operations, he said today’s peacekeeping operations are totally different from yesterday’s.
The UN senior official said they have an ambitious action plan to reduce fatalities and make the operations cost-effective.
He said better protection of peacekeepers means better protection of the people where peacekeepers are deployed.
Lacroix deemed Bangladesh one of the strongest supporters and partners and the UN, and conveyed its message of respect, gratitude, and friendship to Bangladesh for its quality services.
Earlier, in his meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, he lauded Bangladesh’s strong engagement in ensuring peace around the world with its peacekeepers.
“We had a very frank discussion. This was an opportunity for me to thank him personally and Bangladesh for its extremely strong support to peacekeeping and its steadfast engagement in favour of peace around the world,” he said.
Lacroix was talking to reporters after his meeting with Mahmood Ali at state guesthouse Padma .
“We’re extremely grateful and we’re also respectful of the services of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers around the world,” he said, adding that he had an excellent discussion with Minister Ali.
