The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday(August 21) and commended Bangladesh’s continued leadership in keeping the Rohingya crisis high on the global agenda.

During the meeting, Andrews recalled the successful initiative of the Chief Adviser to convene a UN International Conference on the Rohingya issue, scheduled to take place on 30 September at the UN headquarters in New York. He expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for hosting and supporting the displaced community, saying the world appreciates Dhaka’s generosity and Yunus’ efforts to keep the hope of a lasting solution alive.

The Chief Adviser voiced concern over recent cuts in international aid for the Rohingyas in Bangladesh, noting that the reduction is affecting essential services such as healthcare and education. He called on Andrews to continue working to ensure adequate funding for the humanitarian response.

Andrews also highlighted Bangladesh’s proactive engagement with global stakeholders to resolve the crisis, while expressing disappointment that a promising UN initiative to establish a humanitarian channel in Rakhine had been undermined by misinformation campaigns. Despite the setback, he remained optimistic that coordinated international efforts could lead to a durable solution and urged Bangladesh to sustain its leadership role.

The UN envoy is currently in Bangladesh to participate in a stakeholders’ dialogue on the Rohingya issue in Cox’s Bazar on 28 August, which will be inaugurated by the Chief Adviser.
 

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