At the ongoing 47th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, a resolution on the “Human Rights Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar” was overwhelmingly adopted today.
Due to the intensive diplomatic efforts made by the Bangladesh Permanent Mission in Geneva since the massive influx of Rohingyas from Myanmar into Bangladesh in August 2017, this is the first time that any resolution on the Rohingya has been adopted in the UN without a vote, according to a foreign ministry press release.
The passage of the resolution by consensus, according to the foreign ministry, is a significant milestone for Bangladesh.
All member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) had previously presented the document to the Council on Bangladesh’s suggestion.
From the start, there had been significant divergences and differences among UN member states on many aspects of the text, owing to the current political circumstances in Myanmar.
The resolution was finally accepted by agreement by the Council today, according to the announcement, after difficult and lengthy talks at multiple stages.
Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, emphasized during the adoption that tackling the Rohingya crisis and protecting Rohingyas’ human rights must remain high on the UN agenda.
He stated that the ongoing political unrest in Myanmar should not deter the international community from paying close attention to the situation and working for a long-term solution.
The Bangladesh envoy urged the international community to play a visible and effective role in securing the safe and dignified return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas.
“On humanitarian grounds, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened Bangladesh’s borders to the Rohingyas, the unfortunate victims of atrocities and heinous crimes,” he lamented, adding that repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas has yet to take place due to Myanmar’s continued non-cooperation and reluctance.
The resolution lauded Bangladesh for giving sanctuary to the displaced Rohingyas and urged the international community to continue assisting them till they return to Myanmar.
It further stressed the importance of holding those accused and responsible for all types of torture, crimes against humanity, and war crimes against Rohingyas, including sexual offenses, accountable through relevant national, regional, and international judicial institutions.
In this vein, the resolution recognizes the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice’s continuing criminal procedures.
The resolution also affirms the UN Security Council’s ability to decide what to do in such a case.
It asked the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to report to the Human Rights Council and the United Nations General Assembly on the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar.
It also called for a panel debate on “the core causes of human rights violations and atrocities against Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar” at the UN Human Rights Council.
