On 30 September 2025, the United Nations convened the High-Level Conference on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar at its headquarters in New York City. The event brought together UN agencies, civil society groups, governments and representatives from the affected groups to renew global attention on the crisis.
In her opening remarks, General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock emphasised the alarming scale of suffering endured by hundreds of thousands of Rohingya across the region. She highlighted that millions were forced to flee and are currently living as refugees in neighbouring Bangladesh, while many remain displaced in Myanmar under unsustainable conditions. The conference addressed the challenges faced by Rohingya Muslims and other minorities, pushing for a lasting solution to ensure voluntary, safe, and sustainable return. Baerbock warned that continued inaction undermines the credibility of the international community. She stressed that declarations of sympathy must be matched with concrete actions toward a resolution of the crisis.
Moreover, the Rohingya activist that attended the conference stated that the event was not to be understood as another moment of awareness but rather a demand for justice. Several humanitarian agencies and international NGOs like Amnesty International reported that eight years after the mass expulsions from northern Rakhine State the community continues to face systemic oppression, deprivation, and violence. At the same time, host countries such as Bangladesh struggle to cope with new arrivals amid regional instability and aid cuts. Wai Wai Nu, founder of the Myanmar Women’s Peace Network, highlighted the worsening humanitarian conditions, restrictions to the delivery of essential goods, targeted killings, and sexual violence. Refugee camps are overcrowded and host communities struggle to manage scarce resources. Local officials warn that the provision of basic services such as food distribution, healthcare, and education is at risk.
Since 2023, violence has intensified with renewed clashes between the military and the Arakan Army. Continued bombings against residential areas and blockades intensified the suffering of the civilian population. As a result, over a quarter of the Rohingya still residing in Myanmar have fled the country.
The humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State remains dire. The World Food Programme (WFP) stated that over half of families residing in the area lack basic access to food items and are exposed to the risk of malnutrition and infection from preventable diseases. Children are reportedly dying from untreated illnesses and families are forced to survive on rice and contaminated water.
Despite the uncertainty, however, discussions of repatriation continue. Joe Freeman, Myanmar researcher at Amnesty International, cautioned that any push towards the return of refugees without first addressing the dangers faced by the displaced communities could be premature at best, if not catastrophic.
As reaffirmed at the conference, the Rohingya communities demand that the international community ensure their protection from persecution, accountability for atrocities committed by all warring parties, and the chance to return home in dignity and safety. Their testimony underscores that declarations and promises are no longer enough, what is needed is genuine political will and international commitment.
To read more, please visit:
https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/09/1166004
