Call for UNSC meet

Seven countries including the US, UK and France have called on the UN Security Council to meet next week to discuss the ongoing violence in Myanmar. We welcome their concerns and call for discussion, keeping in mind the urgent need to end all violence in Myanmar, and would like to reemphasise our position on the need for dialogue, to find a political and humanitarian solution to the crisis which alone can ensure the long-term peace and stability of Myanmar and the region as a whole. 

It is also encouraging to see the international community recognise the need for its involvement in the matter, to force the Myanmar government to stop persecuting the Rohingyas. And in keeping with that objective, finally moving forward diplomatically. Given the severity of the crisis, however, and the continuing onrush of refugees from Myanmar into Bangladesh—leading to an overwhelming humanitarian disaster—we feel that the international community must move quicker to avoid an even bigger crisis.

Despite calls to end the violence, the Myanmarese government, unfortunately, has remained adamant on the use of force. Villages continue to be set on fire, even now, according to reports, while the placing of landmines across border areas by the Myanmarese army is, shockingly, still ongoing. 

What is obvious is that peace and reconciliation will remain a far cry, under such circumstances. The international community should, therefore, urgently get the Myanmarese government and army to stop the rights violation and work towards resolving the crisis immediately. Until a peaceful settlement is formulated, however, we must again call on the international community and particularly our friends, to lend their increased support to Bangladesh, so that it too can continue providing its humanitarian support to those seeking shelter in its territories.