Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I wish to thank all delegations for their support to the resolution on the human rights situation of the Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar, which has just been adopted by this Committee by consensus, and with the co-sponsorship of 114 countries.
I also take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to the delegations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the European Union for their continued leadership on this important matter.
Mr. Chair,
Six years have elapsed, since we opened our border for nearly a million Rohingya Muslims fleeing ethnic cleansing in Myanmar. Despite our collective efforts, no real progress has been achieved in altering the situation and enabling the Rohingyas to return to their homes. The root causes of their persecution remain unaddressed; their justice needs unmet. The condition rather keeps deteriorating due to regression in democratic transition and continued armed conflicts. And in the meantime, gaps in humanitarian funding for the displaced Rohingyas continue to widen.
Against this backdrop, adoption of today’s resolution is a significant development. It demonstrates a strong signal of solidarity and a renewed commitment by the global community to continue to pay attention to this matter.
Mr. Chair,
Bangladesh is a small country with a high density of population and very limited resources. Protracted presence of the Rohingyas in our territory is not an option. For us, creating conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar is of utmost importance.
However, the responsibility lies with the Myanmar to improve the situation in Rakhine and ensure that their basic rights including the right to movement are guaranteed and they have access to livelihood opportunities. The role of international community including the regional countries and the ASEAN is critical in this regard. Pending return, the Rohingyas living in the camps deserve the solidarity of the international community. The humanitarian response plan to support them in the camps needs to be adequately funded.
Mr. Chair,
This year, the resolution has benefited from the first ever Security Council resolution on Myanmar (2669) adopted in December 2022. It recognizes the profound impacts of the ongoing state of emergency, increasing incidents of violence, arbitrary detention and executions on the civilians in Myanmar.
The recognition of the critical role of ASEAN as a regional organization in addressing the challenges faced by the civilians in Myanmar is a welcome improvement in the resolution. We also welcome the provisions in support of all accountability processes including those involving investigation by the office of the prosecutor on the International Criminal Court and the proceedings in the International Court of Justice under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
Mr. Chair,
As a neighboring country, Bangladesh wishes to see progress in the overall situation in Myanmar, and improvement of conditions in Rakhine. We therefore highly appreciate the continued attention of the international community to this cause, as reflected in this resolution. We believe this resolution will give us the much-needed impetus to reinforce our collective efforts to bring peace and prosperity in Myanmar, where all people including the Rohingya Muslims and other minorities can live in equal rights and dignity.
I thank you.