Now The Target Should be Security Council Resolution?
Posted on December 3rd, 2021
-Hafizur Talukdar
In the last five years or so, various initiatives have been taken in bilateral and international forums to repatriate the displaced Rohingyas or to resolve the crisis, but to no avail. The adoption of a unanimous resolution for the first time in the Third Committee of the United Nations on this issue on Wednesday is a beacon of hope in the current crisis. The matter has been published in the media for a good reason. We have also seen that Japan-Russia-China has expressed their views again after the adoption of this proposal. They have explained their position despite being with the proposal. It is important for us to observe their attitude in this regard. We can claim that their previous position has changed a bit. Earlier, when such a proposal was raised in the third committee of the UN, whatever their position, this time they did not oppose it; Apparently a little positive. But the question is – what is the real attitude of the displaced Rohingyas towards the place we want to go to, the environment, or the favorable conditions for them to be ensured in Rakhine?
The statement of the European Union in this regard is significant. They said
the unanimous resolution would play an important role in protecting the rights
of other minorities. In the adopted resolution, Myanmar has been informed about
many issues. There is no room for complacency in the Third Committee of the
United Nations. The General Assembly did not reflect the effectiveness of such
a proposal. The question may arise, the proposal of the past was not as
unanimous as this time. That is not unreasonable. But we see that many of the
people who are committed to us in resolving the Rohingya crisis have not acted
on their word. The UN General Assembly has already passed resolutions in this
regard in the Third Committee of the United Nations. But Myanmar did not follow
the prescribed path. The Third Committee deals with such proposals. It will now
go to the General Assembly again.
If the resolution is passed in the General Assembly session, then the Security
Council should also pass it – that is the goal now. we assume that since the
proposal has been unanimously adopted by the Third Committee, there will not be
any undesirable situation in the General Assembly session. But if Myanmar’s
attitude is not positive, it will remain an obstacle to resolving the crisis.
First, the Myanmar side needs to create a conducive environment for the
displaced Rohingya to return to their homeland. Second, multifaceted pressure
on them is essential. we can say that the way to create that pressure has
become a little easier. Various branches of the United Nations have also made
proposals in this regard. But Myanmar is not moving. At present, the military
government is directly in power there. Earlier they were indirect helpers.
In the last few months, we have not seen any activity of the present government
in this regard, which is different from the activities of the previous
government. Even so, owning one is still beyond the reach of the average
person. But this relief is not enough to resolve the current crisis. A major
solution could be found through the UN Security Council. The consensus of the
permanent members of the Security Council is crucial. The United States, the
United Kingdom is with us in this matter. China, Russia, Japan, France – these
countries need to take a clear stand on resolving the Rohingya crisis. But for
this, we need more vigorous and far-sighted diplomatic activities in the
context of new realities. We cannot say that the position of China and Russia
is in our favor. The desired outcome cannot be expected until others as
powerful as them pass a resolution in the UN Security Council unanimously.
If that happens, the pressure on Myanmar will be severe and Myanmar will be
forced to change its position. This requires the sincere initiative of many
parties. China, Japan, Russia – we need to strengthen our diplomatic relations
with these countries. Our economic relations with these countries are deep.
They are all our development partners. Several mega projects are being
implemented in the country with their financial support. If we can convince
them that this is putting pressure on Myanmar, then hopefully the way to
resolve the crisis will be smooth. Because Myanmar also has economic relations
with them. It is difficult to say how far Bangladesh has come in such a strong
position.
Now we need to work on a new framework for diplomacy to make all international
alliances and organizations more active. There is an opportunity to do more in
our existing relationship with Japan. With the economic relations that we have
with China, Japan, Russia, it cannot be said that we have succeeded in managing
the politically desired level. The constant goal of Bangladesh should be to
make the diplomatic process stronger and stronger. In this case, Bangladesh has
to work more bilaterally. This goal must be multilateral. If the positive
position of the member states in the Security Council can be confirmed, then
this will be a source of great hope for Bangladesh to change its position.
Bangladesh must continue to make every effort to strengthen our relationship
with all our friends and development partners.
It is important to increase the depth and foresight of diplomacy. For example,
the full support of 107 countries to the proposal of the Third Committee of the
United Nations is a testament to our diplomatic success. It is important to
increase the depth and foresight of diplomacy. For example, this time the full
support of 107 countries on the proposal of the Third Committee of the United
Nations is a testament to our diplomatic success. Many countries have abstained
or voted against such a proposal in the past. But this time around, the
exceptional incident will send a fresh message to Myanmar that their chances of
remaining steadfast in resolving the Rohingya crisis are diminishing. The
international community is now more positive than ever. There are many motives
on the part of Myanmar to prolong this issue. They may think that if the issue
is prolonged, the attention of the international community will be reduced. But
this time the incident has left a mark on their thinking. But Bangladesh should
not seek relief here. Even if it stops. We have to work hard to increase the
pressure on Myanmar as much as possible to resolve this crisis. We hope that
the fruits of Bangladesh’s continued efforts will be seen in the Security
Council as well.