On the ninth anniversary of the mass Rohingya exodus to Bangladesh, 16 diplomatic missions in Dhaka, including those of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the European Union, have reaffirmed the right of the Rohingya to return to their home country, Myanmar. Bangladesh currently shelters approximately 1.2 million persecuted Rohingya on its southeastern Cox’s Bazar coast. Most of these refugees fled a brutal military crackdown by Myanmar authorities that began on August 25, 2017.
Marking Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day on Tuesday, the foreign missions issued a joint statement highlighting the escalating conflict across Myanmar’s Rakhine state. The diplomats warned that deepening insecurity, airstrikes targeting civilian infrastructure, and aid and trade blockades by Myanmar authorities are severely worsening the humanitarian crisis.
According to the joint statement, the ongoing instability is driving further displacement within Myanmar, into Bangladesh, and across the wider region. This has led to tragic losses of life during dangerous sea crossings. The missions emphasized that current conditions do not allow for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya. They noted that achieving these conditions will require a strategic, coordinated, and long-term approach to resolve the root causes of displacement, foster trust between communities, and support peace in Myanmar. The missions pledged to continue working with Bangladesh to establish pathways for repatriation.
Concurrently, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for renewed international attention and action to address the plight of the Rohingya, according to a statement released on Monday by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric. Dujarric stated that Rohingya in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and across the region are facing worsening insecurity, shrinking protection, and diminishing prospects for durable solutions, all of which are exacerbated by funding cuts to life-saving assistance.
Within Myanmar, Rohingya and other communities remain trapped in conflict and face grave human rights abuses by both the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army. Dujarric noted that hundreds of civilians are killed each year, while humanitarian access and movement remain heavily restricted. Rohingya also face forced recruitment, arbitrary arrests, and sexual violence.
Guterres reiterated his call for the protection of civilians in compliance with international human rights, humanitarian, and refugee laws. He expressed appreciation for Bangladesh and other host nations, urging regional cooperation on search and rescue at sea, safe disembarkation, and efforts against human trafficking. Additionally, the UN chief voiced deep concern over rising misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech targeting Rohingya, urging the international community to pursue a comprehensive political solution to the crisis.
