Mizzima

The Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer visited the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Headquarters in Saudi Arabia on 20 February.

She met with H.E. Mr. Yousef Al-Dobeay, the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs. 

They discussed Ms. Heyzer’s proposal of holding a joint international conference this year in partnership between the OIC and the UN aimed at establishing and enhancing practical and longer-term ways to improve education and access to education for both Rohingya refugees and host communities. 

Ms. Heyer highlighted that, while it has been more than five years since the forced mass exodus from Rakhine State, the Rohingya continue to suffer desperate hardships. These include the recent announcement of ration cuts for Rohingya refugees due to severe funding shortfall amid competing world crises. 

She emphasised that the failure to address the root causes of Rohingya marginalisation led to them undertaking dangerous sea journeys, with the past year being one of the deadliest years on record.

She highlighted interviews conducted with mothers, young women and youths from rescued boats that all point to a single message: they want a future and an education. She made the point that education is a powerful tool to transform lives, avoid a “lost generation” and enable the Rohingya to become leaders and contributors upon their return to Myanmar. 

Ms. Heyzer said that the current situation is unsustainable and called for greater urgency and responsibility-sharing and recognition of Bangladesh’s immense generosity in shouldering a disproportionate responsibility. 

She believes that while the conflict and instability make achieving conditions for safe and voluntary return difficult, there are clear areas now where meaningful progress can be made. 

Mr. Yousef Al-Dobeay of the OIC thanked Ms. Heyzer for her ideas and initiatives and said that the OIC would hold consultations with its member states to discuss them.