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16 Foreign Envoys in Bangladesh Support Rohingya's Right to Return to Myanmar
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Conflict & Security

16 Foreign Envoys in Bangladesh Support Rohingya's Right to Return to Myanmar

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Sixteen foreign representatives in Bangladesh, including from the UK, Australia, Canada, and the EU, have called for the Rohingya's right to return to Myanmar to be upheld.
  • The diplomatic missions highlighted the deteriorating situation in Rakhine state, citing escalating conflict, air strikes, and restricted aid as exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
  • They stated that current conditions do not permit voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation, emphasizing the need for a strategic, long-term approach to address root causes and build trust.

Sixteen foreign missions in Bangladesh have jointly urged that the Rohingya's right to return to Myanmar be respected, marking nine years since over 700,000 members of the ethnic group fled the country. The statement, issued in observance of Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day, includes signatories from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the European Union.

The insecurity that is increasingly escalating, air strikes against civilian infrastructure and the blockade of aid and trade by the Myanmar authorities are further worsening the humanitarian crisis.

— Joint statement by diplomatic missionsDescribing the deteriorating conditions in Rakhine state.

The diplomatic missions expressed grave concern over the worsening situation in Rakhine state, Myanmar's conflict-torn region. They pointed to escalating conflict, air strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, and restrictions on aid and trade imposed by Myanmar's authorities as factors intensifying the humanitarian crisis. Bangladesh currently hosts approximately 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, who fled a brutal military crackdown that began on August 25, 2017.

The envoys stated that the prevailing conditions are not conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya. They stressed that any effort to facilitate their return requires a strategic, coordinated, and long-term approach. This approach must address the primary drivers of displacement, foster trust between communities, and support peace-building initiatives within Myanmar to ensure greater stability.

The current situation does not allow for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya.

— Joint statement by diplomatic missionsAssessing the feasibility of repatriation under current circumstances.

"As this crisis enters its 10th year, we must ensure the Rohingya people are not forgotten," the statement read. The missions pledged to continue amplifying the voices of the Rohingya community, advocating for justice and accountability, and collaborating with Bangladesh and international partners to maintain global support. Thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh recently held rallies demanding safe repatriation to their homeland.

As this crisis enters its 10th year, we must ensure the Rohingya people are not forgotten.

— Joint statement by diplomatic missionsEmphasizing the need for continued global attention and support.
About this summary

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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