The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called on Friday for a coordinated regional approach to protect the lives of the thousands of Rohingya refugees who risk their lives undertaking perilous sea voyages.
Türk put the number of Rohingyas who tried to leave Bangladesh and Myanmar at more than 2,400 this year and more than 200 deaths.
“According to recent reports, overcrowded and unsafe boats carrying Rohingya without any assistance have been left adrift for days on end,” he said.
The High Commissioner urged the countries of the region to initiate “a coordination mechanism that guarantees proactive search and rescue, the disembarkation of Rohingya refugees in their territories and their effective protection”, adding that some States have already provided attendance.
Türk’s request follows the arrival this week of a ship with more than 180 Rohingya refugees in Indonesia, according to press sources. The Indonesian authorities allowed some of the passengers to disembark in Aceh province. The boat had been adrift for weeks and without electricity.
Support also for Bangladesh
The High Commissioner called for support, both regionally and globally, for Bangladesh, where more than one million Rohingya refugees have lived since 2017.
Last August, marking the fifth anniversary of the massive forced displacement of Rohingyas and people from other communities from Myanmar’s Rakhine State to Bangladesh, the General secretary of the UN called on the international community to continue seeking global, lasting and inclusive solutions to the crisis.
A statement issued by the António Guterres Spokesperson’s Office recalled the deterioration of the humanitarian, human rights and security situation in Myanmar, after the coup in February 2021.
“It is clear that an urgent solution must be found that allows for the voluntary return of all Rohingya, fully respecting their dignity and human rights as full and equal citizens of Myanmar,” the High Commissioner stressed.
