United News of Bangladesh

A new investigation by Fortify Rights will reveal shocking new details about violence against Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh that rise to the level of international crimes, said the international rights body on Saturday ahead of its release. The 78-page report is based on years of research and more than 100 interviews with Rohingya survivors, eyewitnesses, armed group members, UN officials, aid workers and others. The report, to be released on Tuesday (March 18, 11 am Dhaka), will include urgent recommendations to the government of Bangladesh, militants and international actors. Fortify Rights is an independent nonprofit organisation registered in the United States and Switzerland. Global inaction will deepen Rohingya crisis, INGOs warn during UN chief’s visit The findings will expose patterns of abuses that have gone largely unaddressed by authorities. “I May Be Killed Any Moment” will document ruthless violence and deadly impunity by militant groups against Rohingya refugees, who are also facing a food and aid crisis, compounding the situation. A Rohingya woman human rights defender (pre-recorded message), John Quinley, Director, Fortify Rights, Patrick Phongsathorn, Senior Advocacy Specialist, Fortify Rights will join the programme moderated by Tanbirul Miraj Ripon, freelance journalist, at Dhaka Reporters Unity. Fortify Rights is an award-winning team of human rights defenders working to ensure human rights for all. We investigate violations, engage people with power on solutions, and strengthen human rights defenders.

Noting that this is a ground zero for the impact of budget cuts on people in desperate need, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday said the international community has an obligation to invest now in that aid for people who have already suffered so much. In this holy month of Ramadan, he appealed to the international community to show solidarity through action and concrete support for the Rohingya people and their Bangladeshi host communities. "We are on the verge of a deep humanitarian crisis. With the announced cuts in financial assistance, we are facing the dramatic risk of having only 40 per cent in 2025 of the resources available for humanitarian aid in 2024. That would be an unmitigated disaster," he said at Camp 20 Extension Ukhiya, stressing that people will suffer and people will die. When Chief Adviser Dr Yunus and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived at the camp at 5:35 pm, they were greeted by Rohingyas waving their hands. Both Dr Yunus and Guterres responded warmly. Later, they joined ‘Ramadan Solidarity Iftar’ with one lakh Rohingyas. UN chief promises to ensure funds for Rohingya humanitarian aid UN agencies — as well as many humanitarian and development NGOs — are confronting the prospect of enormous funding cuts, Guterres said before joining Iftar with the Rohingyas hosted by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the Rohingya camp. This will have a direct and dire impact on people – on whether they have enough food to survive, on basic health care, on other essential services and protection, he said. The entire refugee population depends on humanitarian aid, Guterres said. "Here it is clear, budget reductions are not about numbers on a balance sheet. Funding cuts have dramatic human costs," the UN chief said, adding that ultimately the solution must be found in Myanmar.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday expressed appreciation for the close cooperation between the United Nations and Bangladesh as well as for Bangladesh’s generosity towards Rohingya refugees. The Secretary-General also expressed his solidarity with Bangladesh’s reform and transition process when Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and High Representative to the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh on Rohingya Issues and Priority Affairs Khalilur Rahman met him on Friday. Ramadan Solidarity: Dr Yunus, Guterres in Cox’s Bazar to join iftar with Rohingyas Antonio Guterres thanked Bangladesh for its strong commitment to UN peacekeeping, said the UN office.  The Secretary-General and the Foreign Adviser discussed Bangladesh’s ongoing transition and reform efforts. Antonio Guterres and the High Representative discussed the situation in Rakhine state and the upcoming High-Level Conference on Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar.