Rohingya crisis
UNSC most unlikely to get tough on Myanmar
Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is all but certain that it will not get tough on Myanmar, at least in the foreseeable future, in regards to the accountability for unprecedented atrocities orchestrated against Rohingyas in Rakhine and return of them to their homes owing to the disunity of the worlds most powerful body.
As a result, Myanmar can afford to remain unmoved in spite of being creator of the crisis while Bangladesh appears helpless without being any part to the problem.
Bangladesh is now hosting about 1.3 million Rohingyas, who crossed into Coxs Bazar to escape the brutalities of the Myanmar security forces, local Buddhist mobs and people from other ethnic groups in Rakhine. Most of the persecuted people have arrived since October, 2016. Despite a deal signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar to start repatriation of the Rohingyas by January 21, not a single person returned home.
Though a long time has elapsed, the actions of the international community, including the UN, have so far been limited to issuance of statements, high-profile visits to Bangladesh as well as Myanmar, targeted sanctions by some countries and providing aids.
But, no result is yet visible which may suggest that the international community is getting really tough to make Myanmar to hold the perpetrators accountable and take their people back home.
Speaking to a number of foreign and Bangladeshi senior diplomats, it has been established that the international pressure has so far failed to have an impact on the Myanmar government, especially its powerful military, which, according to many, runs the country.
They have been of the opinion that only a binding resolution by the UNSC and broader sanctions can make Myanmar deal with the atrocities and ensure the repatriation of the Rohingyas.
But, the diplomats said that as of now either of the options seems distantly possible due to the disunity within the UNSC, which has been preventing the adoption of a binding resolution or imposition of broader sanctions.
Developed countries can impose broader sanctions on their own, but they seem to be reluctant on this at this moment fearing a possible military takeover, they said.
Against the backdrop of hue and cry by the international community and human rights organisations across the globe, Myanmar is unmoved because it enjoys support from China and Russia, two veto-wielding permanent members of the security council, noted the diplomats, adding that Beijings support is more unwavering than that of Moscow because China is Myanmars neighbour and has huge economic interest there.
Therefore, they said, the UNSC, members of which have visited Coxs Bazar and Rakhine, has not been able to come up with anything other than calls to Myanmar urging it to solve the issue.
To a question, the diplomats pointed out that if a resolution is moved and it is vetoed by permanent members, it will go in favour of Myanmar.
Naypyitaw will then say that they are off the hook because it was rejected at the UNSC, they said.
Therefore, the diplomats observed that it will be counterproductive to move a resolution without a consensus among all the members, especially the permanent five China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and United States.
Such a thing is most unlikely, at least in the foreseeable future, they added.
As far as Bangladesh is concerned given the current scenario, the diplomats said that Bangladesh appears to be helpless and is suffering without being any party to the crisis.
And, Dhaka does not seem to have any choice but to keep on hosting so many Rohingyas for a long time, they added.
