Interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said the Rohingya crisis is by no means a bilateral issue between Myanmar and Bangladesh.
He stressed that Bangladesh has been shouldering its humanitarian responsibility only as a responsible neighbour and a committed member of the international community.
Yunus made the remarks while delivering his speech in Bangla at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday noon, New York time.
“The ongoing conflict in Myanmar has created a deeply alarming situation for the entire region,” Yunus said.
He then added, “It not only threatens regional stability but also makes the repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland even more difficult. Eight years have passed, yet no solution is in sight.
“On the contrary, Bangladesh continues to be compelled to shelter new arrivals from Myanmar. The Rohingyas are being deprived of rights and subjected to persecution in Rakhine due to identity-based politics.”
Yunus emphasised that the marginalisation of Rohingyas must end.
The chief adviser said, “The discriminatory policies and actions that produced this crisis can and must be addressed without waiting for a comprehensive national settlement in Myanmar.
“Political resolution of Rakhine’s problems is essential, but it must involve all ethnic communities in the region, ensuring that the Rohingyas can live as equal citizens with full rights.”
Calling the Rohingyas the “biggest victims” of the crisis, Yunus added, “After them, the largest victim is Bangladesh. Yet we must remember, this crisis is in no way a bilateral issue. Bangladesh is fulfilling its humanitarian responsibility as a responsible neighbour and global actor.”
He warned that a severe funding crunch is pushing Rohingya camps towards collapse.
Yunus pointed out, “The World Food Programme has already raised the alarm over acute shortfalls in its emergency operations.
“Unless new funding arrives immediately, monthly rations may be halved to just $6 per person – driving refugees into hunger, malnutrition, and possibly desperate actions. Further cuts will multiply protection and security risks far beyond the camps. I call on existing donors to scale up aid and urge new donors to come forward to prevent catastrophe.”
Beyond humanitarian aid, Yunus pressed for stronger international pressure on Myanmar and all stakeholders in Rakhine to pursue genuine political solutions. “Other neighbouring countries must also fulfil their responsibility. Bangladesh stands ready to support any collective global effort to bring stability to Rakhine.”
Looking ahead, he expressed hope that the upcoming High-Level Conference on 30 September would galvanise global resolve. “It must secure meaningful international support for Rohingyas, with fundraising as a top priority, while also adopting a clear, time-bound roadmap to achieve lasting solutions.”
Yunus then broadened his focus to global conflicts. “This year we have witnessed violence almost everywhere – Europe, South Asia, the Middle East.
“We live in the most densely populated region of the world, where nuclear-armed states are closer together than anywhere else. We therefore deeply appreciate the urgency of disarmament and non-proliferation.”
He reiterated Bangladesh’s demand for nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Middle East and South Asia. At the same time, he reaffirmed every nation’s right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, under full transparency.
“As a responsible country, before even launching our first nuclear power plant this year, Bangladesh acceded to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, under the International Atomic Energy Agency,” Yunus said.
“Through this, we reaffirm our commitment to the highest standards of nuclear safety and transparency.”
