UN Committee Unanimously Adopts Resolution on Rohingya Rights in Myanmar

On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly unanimously approved its annual resolution addressing the dire human rights situation facing the Rohingya Muslims and other minority groups within Myanmar. This crucial document, jointly presented by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union (EU), garnered the support of 105 co-sponsoring nations. This broad backing underscores the persistent international consensus regarding the gravity of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The resolution explicitly reiterates profound concern over the continuous human rights violations occurring in Rakhine State, alongside the targeted persecution directed at the Rohingya population. Furthermore, the text highlights significant obstacles impeding the delivery of essential humanitarian aid. It also draws attention to the ongoing exodus of Rohingya individuals to Bangladesh and neighboring countries. Since 2017, when escalating conflict triggered massive displacement, Bangladesh has hosted over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees, placing considerable socio-economic strain on the host communities.

Key institutional players involved in this process include the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, the OIC—whose headquarters are situated in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia—and the EU. Bangladesh, through its Permanent Mission to the UN, actively communicated the nation’s stance and participated in diplomatic consultations concerning the resolution’s content.

This resolution, which has been adopted yearly since 2017, once again points to the lack of meaningful progress over the past eight years in facilitating the safe and sustainable return of refugees to their homeland. The delegation from Bangladesh voiced its disappointment that, despite extensive diplomatic efforts, tangible movement regarding repatriation to Myanmar has yet to materialize.

The humanitarian conditions are further exacerbated by severe underfunding affecting the Joint Response Plan for 2025. This shortfall has recently necessitated the rationing of food assistance within the refugee camps. Historically, the persecution of the Rohingya by Myanmar’s military and police forces intensified significantly in 2016 and 2017, following attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). This violence resulted in the flight of approximately one million people, predominantly seeking refuge in Bangladesh, where the Kutupalong camp is located.

The adopted text calls upon the international community to maintain sustained engagement. This is vital to ensure that any repatriation of Rohingya is conducted safely, with dignity, and in a sustainable manner. The General Assembly also mandated a high-level conference to be held in 2025. This meeting is intended to review the crisis and formulate durable solutions. While the consensus adoption signals continued international solidarity, Bangladesh’s statement emphasizes the urgent need to transition from diplomatic maneuvering to concrete actions to resolve this long-standing displacement issue.