Overwhelming Support for High-Degree Convention
In another reprieve for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis unfolding with full steam, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution enacting the modalities of the high-level conference for the situation of the Rohingya Muslim and other minorities in Myanmar. The resolution, co-sponsored by Finland and Malaysia, has been adopted by the UNGA on March 25, 2025, with the full support of the leadership of a mighty majority of member states numbering 141, with not one voting against, while there were 10 abstentions.
A Solution to the Rohingya Crisis
Passing of this resolution is the crucial step towards mobilization of global efforts towards a long-lasting solution of the Rohingya crisis. The high-level meeting will bring together representatives of various groups to share particular actions to the Rohingya people and minorities in Myanmar’s challenges.
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Bangladesh’s Response and Role
During the open debate session before the vote, Russia made several amendments to the resolution, but the proposed amendments were not accepted by Bangladesh, and the draft was submitted for voting by the Permanent Representative of the country to the United Nations, Ambassador Md Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, in its original draft.
The General Assembly President then put the resolution to vote, and the resolution was adopted. Ambassador Chowdhury put forward a cogent argument for the Rohingya crisis resolution, citing the gigantic burden of Bangladesh as the hosts of over 750,000 Rohingya refugees who fled across the border into Bangladesh from Myanmar’s Rakhine State following the August 25, 2017, army crack down. He reiterated Bangladesh’s willingness to facilitate a durable solution and expressed the belief that the conference would rally international support in this direction.
Upcoming Rohingya Summit in New York
The action is timely since Bangladesh will host in September the Rohingya crisis special summit in New York. The action has been interpreted as one intended to bring fresh vigor to global activism and build concerted action to counter the decades-long humanitarian crisis.
International Response and Commitments
The United States greeted the adoption of the resolution, applauding the leadership by Finland and Malaysia in guiding the text. The U.S. welcomed the need for global cooperation in addressing the crisis of the Rohingya and minority groups in Myanmar. The UNGA resolution has been received with open arms by the communities of the human rights, who considered the resolution the direction towards accountability and justice for the Rohingya people. They have urged the conference to put the voice of the Rohingya people first and make the solutions proposed inclusive and involving the Rohingya people and their aspirations.
A Hope for Lasting Solutions
With the preparations for the high-level conference under way, stakeholders hope that the process will open the way for tangible deliverables, including the voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, the return of the Rohingya people to citizenship, and the establishment of guarantees for the protection and integration of the Rohingya people.
Adoption of the resolution in the UNGA places focus on global recognition of the severity of the Rohingya crisis and the need for collective, multi-faceted efforts in its direction and impact. The conference offers the ideal opportunity for the translation of the recognition into concrete actions capable of leading to long-term change for the Rohingya and other minority groups persecuted in Myanmar.
