Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has said that the United Nations (UN) cannot evade responsibility for the persecution of the Rohingyas. It also claimed that the UN knew what was likely to happen in Myanmar well before the crisis. “The UN had its own report about the Rohingya killings, but the report did not see the light of day. Those who were involved in the killing and persecution of the Rohingyas should be brought to trial. Those who did not prevent or give importance to such incidents should be made accountable,” TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said yesterday. He also said that there is a lack of transparency in how UN bodies are spending funds for the welfare of Rohingyas and the local community.

Out of seven UN bodies during the 2017–19 period, the highest management expenditure of 32.6 per cent was incurred by UN Women. UNICEF had the lowest management expenditure at 3 per cent.

In reply to a query, Iftekharuzzaman said: “The UN bodies can reveal the actual management expenditure. It is not possible for us to know the real picture as they do not want to disclose it. But the ground reality is that there is a lack of transparency. The UN has a vested interest here. The crisis gives the opportunity of legitimacy to the UN.”

The TIB chief also mentioned that the international community has no specific initiative for creating a conducive environment that would enable the repatriation of the Rohingyas.

He urged the Bangladesh government to work with all stakeholders to formulate short-, mid-, and long-term plans to face the multifarious problems resulting from the Rohingya crisis.

Iftekharuzzaman made these observations during a press conference in the capital. The briefing was held to present a report titled “The Staying of Displaced Rohingya Citizens in Bangladesh: Challenges of Good Governance and Way Out.” TIB researchers Md Shahnur Rahman and Nazmul Huda presented the report, the research for which was conducted from July 13 to October 30 this year.