The world must deliver justice for the Rohingya
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at
letters@scmp.com or filling in
this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification
On September 30, the UN will hold a high-level conference on the Rohingya crisis. This conference is seen as a key moment to resolve one of the world's worst humanitarian tragedies. It is expected to be convened by Ambassador Philemon Yang, president of the United Nations General Assembly. But success will depend on more than speeches; it must lead to real, lasting action.
The Rohingya people, mostly Muslims, have suffered for years. About 1 million fled to Bangladesh after violent attacks in 2017. Another 600,000 remain in Myanmar, living in poverty and fear. They have been denied citizenship and basic rights. Many face food shortages, forced military recruitment and other atrocities. Their future remains uncertain.
This coming conference began taking shape after the 2024 UN General Assembly. There, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, called for global action. A UN resolution followed, and Bangladesh has since played a key role.
Myanmar's internal situation has only worsened. Since a military coup in 2021, more than 6,000 civilians have died. According to a local monitoring group, about 22,000 people have been jailed for political reasons.
A major earthquake in March this year brought no pause to the violence. Civil war continues, and the military junta refuses to step back. Amid the chaos, the Rohingya are more vulnerable than ever.
To succeed, the conference must meet four urgent goals. First, it must set a clear and enforceable plan for the Rohingya to return home safely and with dignity. This means deadlines, international oversight and strong guarantees.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
18 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
Thailand's PM digs in as defections and legal challenge threaten her power
Thailand 's besieged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra scrambled on Saturday to shore up her wobbling coalition after a leaked phone call drove defections from her government and rekindled resentments against her family, threatening to end her time in office after less than a year. Advertisement Compounding her woes, Paetongtarn is set to face a court challenge from Thai senators and planned street protests demanding her ouster. Thailand's youngest ever leader at 38 and the daughter of divisive two-time leader Thaksin Shinawatra was forced to apologise after a call with Cambodia 's former leader Hun Sen was leaked amid an increasingly tense border stand-off. In the call, Paetongtarn addressed Hun Sen as 'uncle' and appeared to criticise a senior Thai military officer, in a country where the powerful military has carried out a dozen coups and draws on a well of nationalist support. Key coalition partner Bhumjaithai has left the government over the apparent failure by the prime minister to defend Thailand's interests. Another partner in the coalition – United Thai Nation Party – is threatening to abandon the administration unless she resigns. 03:41 Thai government hangs by thread as leaked phone call shreds PM Paetongtarn's credibility Thai government hangs by thread as leaked phone call shreds PM Paetongtarn's credibility Meanwhile, a petition from the Senate has been submitted to the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to have her removed from her post over the revelations in the call.
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
Thailand's PM digs in as defections and legal challenge threaten her power
Thailand 's besieged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra scrambled on Saturday to shore up her wobbling coalition after a leaked phone call drove defections from her government and rekindled resentments against her family, threatening to end her time in office after less than a year. Advertisement Compounding her woes, Paethongtarn is set to face a court challenge from Thai senators and planned street protests demanding her ouster. Thailand's youngest ever leader at 38 and the daughter of divisive two-time leader Thaksin Shinawatra was forced to apologise after a call with Cambodia 's former leader Hun Sen was leaked amid an increasingly tense border stand-off. In the call, Paethongtarn addressed Hun Sen as 'uncle' and appeared to criticise a senior Thai military officer, in a country where the powerful military has carried out a dozen coups and draws on a well of nationalist support. Key coalition partner Bhumjaithai has left the government over the apparent failure by the prime minister to defend Thailand's interests. Another partner in the coalition – United Thai Nation Party – is threatening to abandon the administration unless she resigns. 03:41 Thai government hangs by thread as leaked phone call shreds PM Paetongtarn's credibility Thai government hangs by thread as leaked phone call shreds PM Paetongtarn's credibility Meanwhile, a petition from the Senate has been submitted to the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to have her removed from her post over the revelations in the call.
South China Morning Post
6 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
The world must deliver justice for the Rohingya
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@ or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification On September 30, the UN will hold a high-level conference on the Rohingya crisis. This conference is seen as a key moment to resolve one of the world's worst humanitarian tragedies. It is expected to be convened by Ambassador Philemon Yang, president of the United Nations General Assembly. But success will depend on more than speeches; it must lead to real, lasting action. The Rohingya people, mostly Muslims, have suffered for years. About 1 million fled to Bangladesh after violent attacks in 2017. Another 600,000 remain in Myanmar, living in poverty and fear. They have been denied citizenship and basic rights. Many face food shortages, forced military recruitment and other atrocities. Their future remains uncertain. This coming conference began taking shape after the 2024 UN General Assembly. There, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, called for global action. A UN resolution followed, and Bangladesh has since played a key role. Myanmar's internal situation has only worsened. Since a military coup in 2021, more than 6,000 civilians have died. According to a local monitoring group, about 22,000 people have been jailed for political reasons. A major earthquake in March this year brought no pause to the violence. Civil war continues, and the military junta refuses to step back. Amid the chaos, the Rohingya are more vulnerable than ever. To succeed, the conference must meet four urgent goals. First, it must set a clear and enforceable plan for the Rohingya to return home safely and with dignity. This means deadlines, international oversight and strong guarantees.
