Bangladesh can't, shouldn't bear Rohingya responsibility alone: UN expert

UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar Tom Andrews on Sunday said they all, as part of the international community, have a responsibility to support the Rohingya, noting that Bangladesh "cannot and should not" bear this responsibility alone.

"A stronger commitment of resources is required for the Rohingya refugees and host communities. And the government of Bangladesh needs and deserves a stronger international partnership," he said while speaking at the end of his first official visit to Bangladesh.

The cause of this crisis, and the resolution of this crisis is not in Bangladesh, but in Myanmar, stated the UN expert.

Andrews said he looks forward to working with Bangladesh as a friend, to returning here to continue his reporting, and also to continue my conversations and engagement with the remarkable people here.

"Most of all, I look forward to returning to a Myanmar where justice, human rights and human decency finally prevail, and I can meet with the Rohingya community not as refugees but as citizens in their own country, Myanmar."

The UN Special Rapporteur, in his pre-departure media briefing at a city hotel, thanked and commended the government of Bangladesh for providing Rohingya refugees with refuge from the atrocity crimes committed against them in Myanmar.

He visited Bashan Char Island where the government has so far relocated nearly 19,000 refugees.

"It's clear to me from my conversations with Bangladesh officials, and observations on the island, that considerable resources have also been put into constructing the facilities on Bhasan Char," the Special Rapporteur said.

In view of the remote location of Bhasan Char, and the nascent humanitarian programming on the island, he said, "I would urge the government of Bangladesh to make sure services that can meet the projected needs of the increased population are firmly in place before relocating more refugees, including, especially greater freedom of movement."

He welcomed the commitments made in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UN and urged they be put into practice."

The UN Special Rapporteur said he will do everything in his capacity to push for a stronger, more coordinated international response to this crisis, including the imposition of pressure on the Myanmar military and for concrete measures to hold the military junta fully accountable for this crisis.

"Bangladesh saved untold numbers of lives when it opened its arms and hearts to Rohingya people who survived these most unspeakable horrors inflicted on them by the Myanmar military. All who value human rights owe Bangladesh a debt of gratitude."

During his mission, the UN expert met refugees in Cox's Bazar refugee camps in Bangladesh as well as some of those relocated to Bhasan Char Island.

"For the Rohingya, we must ensure their safe, sustainable and voluntary return to their homeland in Myanmar, noted Andrews," he said.

"Nearly every Rohingya person I spoke with on this mission, whether in the Kutapalong Camps or on Bhasan Char, wants to return home as soon as they can do so voluntarily, safely, sustainably, and with dignity," he said.

Andrews offered a number of initial observations and recommendations formed during his mission.

Andrews stressed that the areas that emerged during his mission as particularly important for the Rohingya community include security, educational opportunity, access to health care, the creation of sustainable livelihood opportunities, and, especially with respect to Bashan Char, the importance of the principles of voluntariness and freedom of movement.

"I firmly believe—and am offering as my most important finding and recommendation—that successfully addressing each of these key areas is in the interest not only of the Rohingya community, but of everyone who shares the goal of a successful and sustained repatriation of the Rohingya community back to where they most want to go, home."

The Special Rapporteur commended Bangladesh for its partnership in accountability measures and noted how critical it was that "the rights and dignity of the Rohingya people be respected, protected and promoted."

Education and livelihoods, including in particular programmes for women and girls, also provide a meaningful outlet for refugees to live dignified lives.

Andrews highlighted, "Education will provide Rohingya youth with opportunities that could deter them from negative coping mechanisms, reducing security vulnerabilities in the camps, and reducing security vulnerabilities for all."