No quick-fix to Rohingya problem: Malloch Brown

September 08, 2019 00:00:00

Stating that there is no quick fix to the Rohingya crisis, former Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Lord George Mark Malloch Brown on Saturday urged the international community to put pressure on Myanmar to resolve the issue, reports UNB.

"This is a classic dilemma of refugees … The reality is, these [refugee] problems don't lend themselves quick fixes.

It's a steady problem," he said while delivering the keynote speech at a symposium titled "The Relevance of the United Nations for Bangladesh: A Prognosis for Partnership" arranged by Cosmos Foundation at a city hotel.

Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan delivered the welcome address at the event held with Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Principal Research Fellow, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, in the chair.

Malloch Brown said it requires "a great depth of patience and humanity" on Bangladesh's side to manage this issue because a refugee population of that size in the part of the country is a huge burden. "I don't disagree with the assertion that not the UN but the states have not been forthcoming on with the political pressure on Myanmar to arrive at a solution," he said.

The former Deputy Secretary General said a lot of political changes need to occur in Myanmar and the international community must exert pressure on it to secure that change.

"I appeal to Bangladesh for patience," he said, noting that these are not refugees who want to stay but conditions have got to be created to enable them to do that.

He said he believes the UN understands the frustration here and the need to find solution. "I think [the UN] wants to work with Bangladesh in this coming session of the UNGA to make sure that this issue gets the political prominence and it needs to move towards a solution," he said.

Malloch Brown said it is the frustration amongst Bangladeshis as this unanticipated burden on the economy is understandable. "These problems can for a time look quite overwhelming," he noted.