UN rights chief calls for coordinated regional approach to protect Rohingya Muslims

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 05 Jan 2023

The United Nations has called for a coordinated regional approach to protect thousands of Rohingya Muslims risking their lives on perilous sea voyages.

In a statement, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk said more than 2,400 Rohingyas left Bangladesh and Myanmar this year alone, out of which over 200 refugees lost their lives on the way.

Expressing deep sadness over the situation, he urged the states to coordinate proactive search and rescue operations, disembark Rohingya refugees on their territories, and ensure their protection.

The UN rights chief also called on regional and other countries to help Bangladesh support the over one million Rohingya refugees who have sought protection there since 2017.

He said an urgent solution must be found to enable the voluntary return of all Rohingya, with full respect for their dignity and human rights as full and equal citizens of Myanmar.