UN Security Council to survey Rohingya crisis in Myanmar

Today, representatives from the UN Security Council will meet with the government of Myanmar as part of a four-day trip to evaluate the Rohingya crises.

Since August last year, more than 700,000 ethnic Muslims have been displaced from the Rakhine state at the hands of the Myanmar military. Despite it being the fastest growing refugee crises in the world, international response has been largely muted due to protest from two of Myanmar’s allies, Russia and China.

Today’s visit was planned by Myanmar’s government to begin repairing relations with the international community and will be used as an opportunity to consider taking further action. However, it is still unclear what a repatriating solution would be comprised of, as many Rohingya have no places to return to in their home country.

Despite this trip reigniting the debate over UN intervention, progress is unlikely to be made without the support of Russia and China which hold veto power on the Security Council. Without resolution, the crises poses a substantial threat to regional stability, burdening surrounding countries like Bangladesh to the point where further conflict could be possible.