The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has urged Bangladesh government to keep its border with Myanmar open in order to allow safe passage for the Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution by the Myanmar military.
UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards made the appeal at a press briefing held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday, according to a statement issued by the UN refugee agency on its website.
“UNHCR is deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of civilians in the northern part of Rakhine state, Myanmar. We are urging the government of Myanmar to ensure the protection and dignity of all civilians on its territory in accordance with the rule of law and its international obligations,” the statement reads.
“We are also appealing to the government of Bangladesh to keep its border with Myanmar open and allow safe passage to any civilians from Myanmar fleeing violence,” it continues.
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Edwards also appealed for calm in the conflicted region and for humanitarian access to assess and meet the needs of thousands of people who have reportedly been displaced from their homes by the ongoing security operation.
“The affected population is believed to be in urgent need of food, shelter and medical care,” he was quoted in the statement.
The UNHCR urged the Myanmar government to immediately allow aid workers to resume the life-saving activities they had been carrying out for some 160,000 civilians in Rakhine until such activities were suspended on October 9.
Also Read- 86 Rohingyas pushed back by BGB
Tension has been rife in Myanmar’s border areas with Bangladesh since several hundred militants linked to Aqa Mul Mujahidin group launched attacks on the border police and the army on October 9, resulting in the deaths of a dozen law enforcers. The Myanmar Army has since been conducting operations to arrest the attackers.
Myanmar authorities have heavily restricted access to the area, making it difficult to independently verify government reports or accusations of army abuse, as well as provide humanitarian aid.
Hundreds of Rohingya Muslims are fleeing the crackdown to Bangladesh, trying to escape the upsurge of violence that has brought the total number of dead confirmed by the army to more than 130, Reuters reported on Wednesday.
Also Read- ATTACK ON ROHINGYAS: ‘It is horrifying’
Border Guard Bangladesh on Tuesday pushed back 86 Rohingya people, including 40 women and 25 children and all hailing from Khoiarchar village in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine, and also seized two boats after they entered Bangladesh through No 5 Sluice Gate and Wabrang area of Sabrang union crossing the Naf River.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
