Statement by Adama Dieng, United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, on his visit to Bangladesh to assess the situation of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar

DHAKA, March 13 (NsNewsWire) —  From 7 to 13 March I visited Bangladesh to assess the situation of the
Rohingya population who have crossed the border from Myanmar to Bangladesh since the most
recent incidents of violence in northern Rakhine state in October 2016 and August 2017. During
my visit, I had the opportunity to meet Bangladeshi authorities, civil society actors and members
of the diplomatic community. I also visited refugee camps in Cox’s Bazaar, where survivors I
met shared horrifying stories of what they have endured.
What I have heard and witnessed in Cox’s Bazaar is a human tragedy with the fingerprints of the
Myanmar government and of the international community. The scorched earth campaign carried
out by the Myanmar security forces since August 2017 against the Rohingya population was
predictable and preventable. Despite the numerous warnings I have made of the risk of atrocity
crimes, the international community has buried its head in the sand. This has cost the Rohingya
population of Myanmar their lives, their dignity and their homes.
Let us be clear: international crimes were committed in Myanmar. Rohingya Muslims have been
killed, tortured, raped, burnt alive and humiliated, solely because of who they are. All the
information I have received indicates that the intent of the perpetrators was to cleanse northern
Rakhine state of their existence, possibly even to destroy the Rohingya as such, which, if proven,
would constitute the crime of genocide. However, whether or not we consider that the crimes
committed amount to crimes against humanity or genocide, this should not delay our resolve to
act and to act immediately. We owe this to the Rohingya population.
First, the root causes of the problem must be addressed. Only then can this population return in
safety and dignity to Myanmar. The fate of the Rohingya has been sealed since the day they were
born. A fate of persecution and exclusion. We must change this and give them the opportunity
that every human being should be afforded in life: to enjoy their fundamental human rights in
freedom and safety. The recommendations of the Rakhine Advisory Commission provide a road
map for the Myanmar Government. As a priority the stateless status of the Rohingya community
must end and the issue of their citizenship be addressed properly and definitively. Press Release