PBB Promises To Support The Repatriation Of Rohingya Refugees In A Dignity

Photos of archives - Rohingya Refugees (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The United Nations (UN) will continue to support efforts to create conditions for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees voluntarily, safely, dignifiedly, and sustainably to their homes in Myanmar.

In a statement released to commemorate the six-year exodus of Rohingya from Myanmar, UN Secretary-General spokesman Florencia Soto Nino said Rohingya residents were still refugees at home and abroad, including about one million Rohingya residents in Bangladesh.

The vulnerabilities faced by the people of Myanmar, including the Rohingya, are exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and the destruction caused by Typhoon Mocha," the United Nations said, quoted from Antara, Sunday.

To that end, the Secretary General of the United Nations called on all stakeholders to double efforts to find comprehensive, inclusive, and long-lasting solutions that could address the root causes of discrimination and systemic violence in Myanmar.

The United Nations is also calling on related parties to respond to the increasing crisis of protection and humanitarian needs while strengthening refugee protection efforts in the area where they have fled persecution and violence.

Given that Bangladesh has shown humanitarian and generosity commitments that must be recognized through its common responsibility', the United Nations says that more things must be done to support the Joint Response Plan and prevent a broader humanitarian crisis.

"PBB is committed to working with all stakeholders, including regional actors, to help resolve this crisis and seek accountability and justice for victims towards sustainable peace in Rakhine State and throughout Myanmar," the United Nations said in a statement.

The Rohingya is described by the United Nations as the world's most persecuted group and faces what human rights groups call genocide.

According to Amnesty International, more than 750 thousand Rohingya refugees, mostly women and children, left Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the Muslim minority community in August 2017.

The exodus increased the number of Rohingya residents who were persecuted in Bangladesh to more than 1.2 million people.

Since August 25, 2017, nearly 24 thousand Rohingya Muslims have been killed by Myanmar state forces, the Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA) reported.

More than 34 thousand Rohingya people were also burned, while more than 114 thousand others were beaten, based on an OIDA report entitled "Forced Immigration Rohingya: Undisclosed Experience".

As many as 18 thousand women and daughters of Rohingya were raped by Myanmar soldiers and police and more than 115 thousand houses of Rohingya residents were burned, while another 113 thousand were damaged.