UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday emphasized the need for dialogue with the Arakan Army to ensure the rights of Rohingya people in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
However, he acknowledged the challenges in facilitating their immediate and dignified return due to ongoing conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army.
Speaking at a joint media briefing with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Guterres called for increased international pressure to end the violence in Myanmar and restore democracy, which he said is crucial for the safe repatriation of Rohingya refugees.
He stressed the need for humanitarian aid inside Myanmar and suggested the possibility of an aid corridor from Bangladesh, subject to necessary approvals.
Rights group Fortify Rights has urged Bangladesh and the Arakan Army to facilitate cross-border aid and trade to assist civilians affected by the conflict in Rakhine State.
However, adviser Hossain clarified that discussions with the UN chief did not specifically address a humanitarian corridor, noting that such operational matters would be handled at the local level.
During his visit to Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Guterres warned of an impending humanitarian crisis due to severe aid cuts from major donors, including the US and European nations.
He described Cox’s Bazar as the center of these funding reductions, cautioning that further food ration cuts could lead to disaster.
“I am here to shine a global spotlight on the plight – but also the potential – of Rohingya refugees,” he said.
“The more than one million Rohingya refugees here are proud. They are resilient. And they need the world’s support,” he added.
Reaffirming his commitment to advocating for Rohingya refugees, Guterres highlighted the generosity of Bangladesh in hosting over a million Rohingyas and stressed that the world must not forget their plight.
He vowed to push global leaders for urgent support, stating that failure to act would have devastating consequences.
