NEW YORK — Independent United Nations human rights experts have called for urgent international action to strengthen protection for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh following reports that two boats carrying more than 500 people may have capsized off Myanmar’s coast in mid-July.
The experts warned that the prolonged displacement of Rohingya refugees, combined with their stateless status, continues to expose many to human trafficking, exploitation, and dangerous irregular migration. Women, children, and young people remain among the most vulnerable groups.
Bangladesh currently hosts nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, most of whom fled violence in Myanmar following the military crackdown in 2017. According to the UN experts, limited access to education, employment, and safe migration opportunities in the refugee camps has increased the risks faced by displaced communities.
The experts also expressed concern over the growing number of deaths during sea journeys across the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, noting that hundreds of Rohingya refugees have lost their lives in recent years while attempting to reach safer destinations.
The UN experts urged the international community to expand humanitarian assistance, strengthen anti-trafficking measures, and work toward durable solutions for the Rohingya crisis, while continuing support for Bangladesh, which remains the largest host country for Rohingya refugees.
