Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 30, 2025 Peace and security
The humanitarian crisis affecting Myanmar's minorities continues to worsen, according to a statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed to participants of the High-Level Conference on the Rohingya Muslims. The statement was read by his Chief of Staff, Earl Courtenay Rattray.
The UN chief warned that the situation in Myanmar has worsened since the 2021 military coup and poses a threat to regional stability. The goal of the conference, taking place on September 30 in New York, is to find solutions to the humanitarian and political crisis surrounding the Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Participants are discussing the decline in humanitarian aid, the internal conflict in Myanmar, and the development of measures for the voluntary return of refugees.
Decades of violence and discrimination
"This crisis… violates the human rights, dignity and security of millions and threatens regional stability," the UN chief said.
The Secretary-General recalled that minorities in Myanmar have been subjected to exclusion, violence, and discrimination for decades. He paid particular attention to the situation of the Rohingya.
"The Rohingya were deprived of citizenship. They were subjected to hate speech. They faced violence and destruction. They were held in internally displaced persons camps in Myanmar, where their freedom of movement and access to education and healthcare were restricted," the Secretary-General recalled.
Refugees in Bangladesh
He noted that Bangladesh has shown exceptional hospitality, sheltering over a million refugees. The Secretary-General recounted his visit to the Cox's Bazar camp this year.
"I met with Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar and was inspired by their courage and moved by their determination. Many shared horrific stories of their ordeals in Myanmar. They want to go home. Myanmar is their homeland," Guterres said.
However, he said, current conditions in Myanmar's Rakhine State, where the Rohingya lived, make their return impossible. The civilians are caught in the middle of a civil conflict that erupted after the 2021 coup.
Help is running out
Over the past 18 months, another 150,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh, with many forced to risk their lives by crossing the sea. Meanwhile, refugee camps are facing resource shortages.
"Severe aid cuts have limited access to healthcare and disrupted opportunities for education and employment. Food aid may run out by the end of November," the UN chief noted.
The situation of women and girls is particularly alarming: “Due to insecurity and exploitation, women and girls are at increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence, trafficking, and child marriage.”
Find a solution
The Secretary-General called on the international community to join forces and provide the Rohingya with the necessary support.
"We must work together to find a solution to the crisis affecting the Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar. We must find a lasting political solution that will shape a peaceful and inclusive future for all of Myanmar," he said.
Guterres identified three priorities to overcome the crisis: respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians, guaranteed humanitarian access throughout Myanmar, and increased financial support for both refugees and host communities.
The turning point
Speaking at a high-level conference, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk recalled his visit to Rakhine State several years ago. He noted that the situation there had only worsened.
According to Türk, the conference should be a turning point for the Rohingya: the international community is obliged to take action and find a way out of this crisis.
Attacks from all sides
Since November 2023, fighting in Rakhine has intensified, with the Rohingya coming under attack from all sides.
The Myanmar military is increasingly resorting to airstrikes against civilians throughout Rakhine. They are committing horrific crimes, including the deliberate killing of civilians, the destruction of civilian property, arbitrary detention and torture, and forced recruitment.
Airstrikes and artillery shelling are also devastating areas home to other minorities, including the Mru, Maramagya, Hindu, and Kaman. The fighting is resulting in civilian deaths and mass displacement.
Meanwhile, the ethnic armed group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (another name for Rakhine State – ed.), in its quest for territorial gains, has reportedly also killed, abducted, tortured, forcibly recruited Rohingya, and burned entire villages. Arakan Army militants arrest Rohingya for allegedly supporting the Myanmar military, traveling without permission, and resisting forced recruitment.
"Arakan Army units arrested families returning from Bangladesh to Maungdaw in northern Rakhine and extorted money from them. Those who paid were deported back to Bangladesh, while others who couldn't pay were kept in detention," Türk reported.
The humanitarian situation is worsening
The humanitarian situation in Rakhine and across the country continues to deteriorate, in part due to the military blockade. Nearly a third of the country's population, approximately 15.2 million people, have faced severe food shortages this year, Türk reported.
"The international community must fulfill its obligations and act," the High Commissioner said. He expressed solidarity with the Rohingya and all the people of Myanmar.
"Their greatest wish is for a dignified future for Myanmar, in which all communities can… live in peace," he added.
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