Guterres, Yunus: the last hope for Rohingya people now?
During their visit to the camps, both Guterres and Yunus made bold promises to the Rohingyas, who fled Myanmar in 2017 to escape the military’s campaign of ethnic cleansing
"We will never, ever give up making this world better for everyone, everywhere" – the pronouncement made by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on his X profile is significant.
His return to the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar after six years underscores the commitment behind his words.
Since his first visit in 2018, the situation for the Rohingyas has worsened, with hopes for their repatriation fading. The most alarming recent development is the reduction in food rations for Rohingya refugees.
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Yet, Guterres has not given up.
He reassured more than a million Rohingyas—one of the most persecuted communities in modern history—that the UN would do everything possible to prevent further cuts to food aid. He also vowed to rally international support on their behalf.
His visit reignites global attention on the Rohingyas, who had faded from the international spotlight amid crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and Israel's invasion of Gaza.
Against this backdrop, the UN chief's visit is a diplomatic success for Bangladesh's interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus. In February, Yunus had formally invited Guterres to return to the camps as part of his commitment to the Rohingya cause.
Yunus, alongside Guterres, pledged to work towards a future where Rohingyas can celebrate Eid in their homeland in Myanmar's Rakhine state next year.
A longtime advocate for Rohingya rights, Yunus has previously joined fellow Nobel Peace laureates in calls for justice. Now, as Bangladesh's interim leader, he seeks tangible change. Since assuming office following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's government, he reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to supporting the Rohingya refugees in his first policy address in mid-August.
"We need sustained international efforts for Rohingya humanitarian operations and their eventual repatriation to Myanmar, with safety, dignity, and full rights," he said.
At last year's UN General Assembly, Yunus proposed three key measures to resolve the crisis:
- Convening an all-stakeholders conference under UN auspices.
- Developing a Joint Response Plan, managed by both Bangladesh and the UN.
- Strengthening international support for justice and accountability regarding the crimes committed against the Rohingyas.
During their visit to the camps, both Guterres and Yunus made bold promises to the Rohingyas, who fled Myanmar in 2017 to escape the military's campaign of ethnic cleansing.
Now is the time for them to translate these pledges into concrete action—mobilising global support for humanitarian aid and a lasting resolution.
A Tale of Two Nobel Laureates
While Yunus is striving for justice, another Nobel Peace laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, has a much different legacy. Her political ambitions led her to align with Myanmar's military, even defending it at the International Court of Justice in The Hague against accusations of genocide.
Her failure to stand with the powerless Rohingyas drew international condemnation, including from fellow Nobel laureates. Amid mounting pressure to revoke her Nobel Prize, the awarding committee issued a statement that no such mechanism existed. Though her prize remained intact, her reputation was irreparably damaged. Ultimately, the very military she once defended removed her from power in 2021 and since then, she has been in prison.
In contrast, Yunus has the backing of fellow laureates and a strong network of global leaders and donor agencies. He intends to use these connections to rally international support for the Rohingyas.
Funding cuts have dramatic human costs, Guterres says at Rohingya camp, warning unmitigated disaster
His upcoming visit to China will be a critical opportunity to engage with Chinese leaders on the Rohingya crisis. China has repeatedly blocked UN Security Council resolutions aimed at pressuring Myanmar, making its stance pivotal to any progress. If Yunus can persuade China to cooperate, the push for Rohingya repatriation could gain momentum.
A Final Opportunity for Change
Guterres, the first former head of government to become UN Secretary-General, is widely respected for his leadership on humanitarian issues and climate change. Before assuming his current role, Time Magazine praised his ability to navigate complex international challenges, stating:
"In the latter role, he was able to not only work with the major powers but to nudge—sometimes push—them to go where they might otherwise have not. This is a skill that should come in very handy in his new role."
Guterres has always been a leader who follows both "heart and reason." His resignation as Portugal's Prime Minister in his second term, choosing instead to teach mathematics to underprivileged children, speaks volumes about his character.
During his visit to the Rohingya camps, he sat with children at their learning centre, listening to their stories. His deep empathy for their plight was evident, just as it was during his 2018 visit when he called their persecution "one of the most tragic stories in the world."
However, his previous efforts to address the crisis faced roadblocks, primarily due to China's opposition at the UN Security Council.
With his second and final term as Secretary-General set to end in December 2026, this may be Guterres' last opportunity to make a decisive impact. Likewise, Yunus will step down after Bangladesh's next parliamentary elections, making this a critical moment for both leaders to push for meaningful change.
Now, more than ever, Yunus and Guterres must rise to the occasion. If successful, their efforts will prove that justice can still be served to those who have suffered decades of persecution. It will also ease the burden on Bangladesh, which has shouldered the responsibility of hosting over a million refugees for years.
The world is watching. Will history remember this as the moment global leaders finally stood up for the Rohingyas?
