US reiterates justice for Rohingyas
Staff Reporter :
On the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the genocide against Rohingya, the United States has reiterated its stance to stand with the victims and survivors and reaffirmed its commitment to purse justice and accountability for the atrocities committed by the Myanmar army.
“We are deeply grateful to the Government and the people of Bangladesh for giving shelter and refuge to nearly one million Rohingyas, as well as other countries in the region hosting Rohingya refugees,” US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said on Thursday in a statement.
“The United States remains committed to advancing justice and accountability for all the people of Burma and will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Burma in their aspirations for a democratic, inclusive, and peaceful future,” he said.
Regarding US financial contribution, he said, “The United States has provided over $2.1 billion to assist those affected by the crisis in Burma, Bangladesh, and elsewhere in the region since 2017, remaining the leading single largest donor of life-saving humanitarian assistance to those whose lives have been upended by the violence.”
On the other hand, US Embassy in Dhaka on Friday in a statement said, “Rohingya who continue to find refuge in Bangladesh and other countries in the region have suffered too long.
They deserve an opportunity to return to their homes in safety and dignity, raise their families in peace, and live meaningful and purposeful lives. “
“To that end, the United States remains committed to finding solutions to the crisis, justice for its victims, and accountability for the perpetrators of these atrocities, through targeted sanctions, international pressure, and support to the national and international courts taking action against those responsible,” it read.
The Statement, furthermore, said, “Until conditions in Burma (Myanmar) improve, we call upon the international community to continue providing humanitarian aid to one of the world’s most vulnerable and marginalized populations. We must continue to support the Government of Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi communities hosting Rohingya.”
But it also pointed out that as other crises around the world compete for limited resources, it is also increasingly important to identify ways Rohingya can contribute to the economic well-being of their host communities and their own families.
This includes facilitating the pursuit of income-generating activities and formal education, ensuring Rohingya communities are safe, and by giving Rohingya a greater role in their own futures through participation in Rohingya civil society organisations.”
“We look forward to exchanging best practices, ideas, and resources in helping identify durable solutions for Rohingya refugees,” it added.
Recognising that Rohingya cannot safely return to their homeland of Burma under current conditions, resettlement is another important way in which we demonstrate responsibility sharing and contribute to comprehensive solutions for the plight of Rohingya, the Embassy said.
“We applaud the generosity of other countries who are joining this international resettlement effort, and we hope the international community – beyond traditional resettlement countries – joins this important effort. Since 2009, the United States has warmly welcomed nearly 13,000 Rohingya from the region, including Bangladesh,” it said.
As this crisis enters its seventh year, it is of utmost importance that we persist in exploring all possible options to alleviate or end the suffering of Rohingya refugees throughout the region, it stressed.
In a tweet, UK Embassy in Bangladesh wrote: “Today marks six years since the horrific campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya people by the Myanmar Armed Forces.
Almost a million Rohingya refugees remain in Bangladesh.
The UK stands in solidarity with the Rohingya and all those affected by this tragedy.”
