DHAKA: The third committee of the UN General Assembly in New York has adopted a resolution by a vote on the human rights situation in Myanmar.

A total of 142 countries voted in favor of the resolution and 10 countries voted against it while 26 countries refrained from casting votes on the resolution brought jointly by the European Union and OIC on Friday (Nov 16).

Bangladesh and Austria placed the resolution on behalf of the OIC and EU respectively. A total of 103 countries, including the USA, Canada, Austria and Mexico co-sponsored the resolution.

The international community hoped that the resolution would play a significant role in ensuring sustainable rehabilitation of Rohingyas, said the press wing of Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations on Saturday.

Bangladesh permanent representative to the UN ambassador Masud Bin Momen said the resolution made several references to Bangladesh as the host country for the forcibly displaced Rohingya.

The resolution was yet another affirmation of the international community's solidarity with the Rohingya, said ambassador Momen.

Last year, he said, the world had failed again to prevent the gravest crimes under international law committed against the Rohingya.

Ambassador Momen said the resolution reaffirmed that the Rohingyas must be allowed, on their own accord, to return to their homes or any place of choice in Myanmar's Rakhine State.

Since August last year, Bangladesh has urged the international community to stand by it as Bangladesh engaged in renewed efforts to resolve the crisis through dialogue with Myanmar.

With assurance from Myanmar, Bangladesh had agreed on November 15 to commence voluntary repatriation of individuals and families verified by Myanmar as Rakhine State residents.

It, however, appeared that the Rohingya themselves were not sufficiently convinced by the words of assurance as not a single one of them came forward to avail of the option to return.

BDST: 1425 HRS, NOV 17, 2018
AP/SMS