The Rohingya crisis requires a political solution, which lies in the return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar – by addressing root causes, creating right conditions and holding the wrongdoers accountable, said Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima.
She was speaking at a discussion on the Rohingya crisis held virtually on Wednesday in New York, the foreign ministry said.
The discussion, titled “Rohingya Crisis in its Fourth Year: Challenges in Securing a Sustainable Solution” was organized jointly by the Permanent Missions of Bangladesh, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
The virtual discussion featured presentations, remarks, and suggestions from a wide range of stakeholders from the member States, UN, civil society and diaspora.
Nicholas Koumjian, the Head of Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar (IIMM) presented the keynote speech and Ambassador Bob Rae, the Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN moderated the discussion.
The list of speakers included the Legal Advisor at the Ministry of Justice of Gambia, SRSG -SVC Pramila Patten, Ruven Menik diwela, Director, UNHCR, New York, Dr. Payam Akhavan, Legal Counsel for The Gambia in the ICJ Case, Dr. Simon Adams, Executive Director, Global Centre for R2P, Akila Radha krishnan, President, Global Justice Center and Dr. Wakar Uddin, Director General of Arakan Rohingya Union.
Permanent Representatives and delegates of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Sweden, United Kingdom, EU, USA, Netherlands and Indonesia delivered remarks.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Rabab Fatima said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina showed tremendous courage and compassion, when she decided to open the borders and provide the persecuted Rohingyas with shelter and protection.
She highlighted the current stalemate with the repatriation of the Rohingyas due to Myanmar’s failure to create a conducive environment in Rakhine and expressed concern at the deteriorating situation in the Rakhine State.
Ambassador Fatima urged the International community to fully comprehend the multidimensional repercussions of this protracted crisis and step up their efforts in securing a permanent political solution to the longstanding humanitarian crisis.
In his keynote presentation, the IIMM head described his efforts to reach out to all stakeholders including the Myanmar authorities for collection of information and evidence related to the human rights violations that have been committed in Myanmar since 2011.
He called upon the member States that are sheltering forcibly displaced Rohingyas to share information in their possession, and help IIMM fulfil its mandate.
Ambassador Bob Rae, reiterated his government’s consistent prioritization of the Rohingya issue and support to the accountability processes, including with the proceedings at the International Court of Justice.
He also called for greater international support for humanitarian and political solution to this crisis.
The Ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and Turkey commended Bangladesh for bearing the burden of hosting such a large number of Rohingya in its territory and assured full humanitarian and political support towards its early resolution.
The Ambassador of United Kingdom recognized the importance of accountability for grave crimes including crimes of sexual violence against Rohingya women. The EU Ambassador emphasized on implementation of the recommendations of Rakhine Advisory Commission.
