UN urges protection for Rohingya, citing growing insecurity and funding cuts

Nine years after a massive displacement, the United Nations is calling for sustained attention to the plight of the Rohingya people. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over their escalating insecurity and diminishing protection, particularly in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and across the region.

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The Rohingya people in Myanmar (Burma), Bangladesh and across the region face increasing insecurity, shrinking protection space and dwindling prospects for durable solutions, a situation exacerbated by funding cuts affecting life-saving assistance.

In a statement delivered by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres noted that funding cuts are severely impacting essential aid for the Rohingya. He highlighted that those remaining in Myanmar face ongoing conflict, displacement, and severe human rights abuses by the military and the Arakan Army. Civilians continue to die annually, with restricted humanitarian access and forced recruitment adding to their suffering.

The UN chief also voiced alarm over the rising number of Rohingya deaths at sea, urging enhanced regional cooperation for search and rescue operations and safe disembarkation. He stressed the need to combat human trafficking and expressed concern about the spread of misinformation and hate speech targeting the community.

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Hundreds of civilians continue to die each year, while circulation and humanitarian access remain restricted. The Rohingya are also exposed to forced recruitment, arbitrary detention and sexual violence.

Guterres appealed to Myanmar to uphold its international obligations to protect its civilian population. He also thanked Bangladesh and other host countries for their hospitality and reiterated his call for protection for those fleeing the crisis. The UN leader urged the international community to bolster collective action for an inclusive political solution that addresses the root causes of the protracted crisis in Myanmar.

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The Secretary-General urges the international community to reinforce collective action in support of an inclusive and comprehensive political solution that addresses the root causes of the prolonged crisis in Myanmar.