It’s good to see that the third committee of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the annual resolution on the situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar by consensus on Wednesday, with the resolution co-sponsored by 114 countries -- marking the highest level of international support since 2017.
While this is a long time coming, these commitments and resolutions mean nothing without concrete action.
By this stage, there is no questioning that, in the face of one of the most pressing humanitarian crises of our time, Bangladesh emerged as a beacon of compassion and resilience in its response to the Rohingya refugee influx.
Since the Rohingya crisis unfolded, Bangladesh's unwavering commitment to providing shelter, aid, and dignity to these Rohingya refugees, who were displaced by sheer violence from their homes in Rakhine State in Myanmar, cannot be denied.
Bangladesh now hosts over a million Rohingya refugees and continues to shoulder an immense burden, both economically and socially. The government, aid organizations, and local communities have demonstrated unparalleled hospitality, sharing limited resources with those in desperate need.
During this time, international support, especially with regard to holding Myanmar accountable for its atrocities, has been sorely lacking. As Bangladesh continues to bear the brunt of the crisis with grace and resilience, the ultimate, sustainable solution lies in the safe and voluntary return of the Rohingya refugees to their homeland.
To that end, the global community must collaborate to ensure that conditions in Myanmar are conducive to the refugees' return, guaranteeing their safety, protection, and a dignified life while putting pressure on Myanmar to not only acknowledge the root causes of the crisis, but create an environment where the Rohingya can rebuild their lives without fear of persecution.
The Rohingya deserve to return to their homeland with their heads held high, and it is our collective responsibility to make this a reality while safeguarding their rights and well-being.
