The Rohingyas want nothing more than to return to their homes, says Tom Andrews as he begins week-long Bangladesh visit
Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan: On the heels of no progress with respect to the repatriation of Rohingyas due to unwillingness of Myanmar, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Tom Andrews began his week-long visit to Bangladesh on Monday.
“Yes, the special rapporteur is in Bangladesh on a visit over December 13-19,” a UN official in Dhaka told Dhaka Tribune.
“The world must not forget the roughly one million Rohingya from Myanmar forced to run for their lives from the military’s genocidal attack against them,” said Andrews.
“The Rohingya want nothing more than to return to their homes in Myanmar, when conditions allow for their safe, dignified and sustainable return,” he said.
While in Bangladesh, the special rapporteur will visit Dhaka, the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, and the island of Bhasan Char – where many Rohingya have been relocated.
He will meet representatives of the government, as well as UN officials, representatives of civil society organizations and – most importantly – members of the Rohingya community.
Andrews, a former member of the United States Congress, also said, “While the Myanmar junta continues to systematically violate the people of Myanmar’s human rights, it is critical that the global community support those who have been forced to flee their homes in Myanmar for Bangladesh. I am honoured to have the opportunity to meet with them.”
“I am grateful for the access the Bangladesh government is providing me on this essential mission. This visit will be an important opportunity to meet relevant government officials, international organizations and civil society organizations in relation to Myanmar,” he said.
In particular, he added, “I look forward to meeting with Rohingya, to listen to them, lend support, and work together with them towards sustainable long term solutions and pursuing accountability for the atrocities the military committed against them in Myanmar.”
The special rapporteur will hold a press conference on December 19 to share his preliminary observations with the media.
His findings will form part of his update presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2022.
