UNITED NATIONS: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, Friday called for a coordinated regional approach to protect thousands of Rohingya Muslims risking their lives on dangerous sea voyages.
“Over 2,400 Rohingya have sought to leave Myanmar and Bangladesh in 2022 alone, and I am deeply concerned that over 200 have reportedly lost their lives on the way to a secure place,” the UN rights chief said. The statement came in the wake of the latest Indonesian fishing crews’ sea rescue of Rohingya refugees.
Expressing deep sorrow, Turk said that the boats used to make the crossings were “overcrowded and unsafe” and “left to drift for days on without any help.”
With no sign in sight of ending the crisis, the UN rights chief urged more countries to assist in their safekeeping.
UN wants respectful return of Rohingya
Specifically, Turk urged the states to coordinate rescue operations and proactive search, disembark Rohingya refugees on their territories, and ensure their safety.
The UN rights chief also called on regional and countries globally to help Bangladesh support the over one million Rohingya refugees who have sought protection there since 2017.
“An urgent solution worked out to enable the voluntary return of all Rohingya, with complete respect of their dignity and human rights as equal and full citizens of Myanmar,” underscored the high commissioner.
At the end of 2022, the senior UN official reflected on “the story we would like to write for our future.”
“My hope for the upcoming year is that we lead our lives, collectively and individually, with kindness, unity, and empathy, in how we relate to each other. In our houses, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and online”, Turk said in his look ahead message for 2023.
The UN rights chief reminded us that if human rights were not protected “in the little places,” they lacked meaning anywhere.
He called for the protection of women’s rights in public and at home, saying that girls and women must have “full equality and freedom from discrimination.” – APP
