The Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee

Topic: Mitigating the refugee crisis caused by the Rohingya genocide in

Myanmar

Introduction
In the wake of the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar, the refugee crisis stemming from this humanitarian tragedy
has emerged as a pressing global concern, particularly within the United Nations Social, Humanitarian, and
Cultural Committee. The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group, have faced widespread persecution,
violence, and displacement in the Asian country of Myanmar, specifically in the Rakhine State. The term
"Rohingya genocide" refers to the systematic violence and atrocities perpetrated against the Rohingya
population, prompting urgent discussions on mitigating the consequences of this crisis. As this crisis unfolded, a
significant number of Rohingya refugees sought safety and asylum in neighboring countries like Bangladesh,
creating a complex and multifaceted challenge for the international community.
This contemporary issue necessitates immediate attention due to its ongoing impact on the affected population
and the broader geopolitical landscape. The United Nations, particularly through SOCHUM, is actively
involved, serving as a crucial platform for coordinating international efforts. Beyond immediate relief, the UN's
focus extends to addressing root causes, ensuring accountability, and formulating comprehensive strategies for a
sustainable resolution, underscoring its commitment to human rights and global collaboration in this complex
humanitarian challenge.

General Overview
Rohingya Muslims are an ethnic minority, originating from a predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, with decades
worth of history as victims of persecution and systemic discrimination. Despite living there for generations, the
Rohingya have been denied official recognition as an ethnic group, with lack of citizenship, basic rights, and
protection from Myanmar. This catastrophe has made them the world’s largest stateless population, leaving
them extremely vulnerable to acts of sexual exploitation, gender-based violence, and various forms of abuse
from the Myanmar military and some Buddhist Nationalists.
August of 2017 marked their largest emigration after a surge of violence broke out in the Rakhine State of
Myanmar. More than 742,000 Rohingyas sought refuge in Bangladesh after entire villages were reduced to ashes
and thousands of families were massacred or separated. Since then, many nations and organizations such as
Gambia, UNHCR, ICJ, etc. have served a role in attempts to alleviate this crisis. Currently, over 1 million
Rohingya refugees reside in overcrowded refugee camps in neighboring countries, predominantly in
Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar region. However, challenges to survival persist as food, health, shelter, water, and
education access are limited in the overcrowded camps, leaving families impoverished and debilitated.
On the contrary, Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s de facto leader, has denied ethnic cleansing acts and dismissed
the concerns regarding the crisis, accusing critics of fueling resentment between Buddhists and Muslims in the
country. After the violent outbreak in 2017, Myanmar denied access to the UN special rapporteur on Human
Rights in Myanmar and suspended cooperation for the remainder of their term. It continued to reject charges of
genocide from the ICJ.
Despite the debates regarding the topic, alleviating this refugee crisis will involve a comprehensive response
encompassing humanitarian aid, diplomatic efforts, and long-term strategies for conflict resolution and
peacebuilding.

Major Parties Involved

● Myanmar - A Myanmma-authorized military campaign in the Rakhine State, authorized by Myanmar in
2017, was led against the Rohingya Muslims, consisting of massacres, rape, and arson. Soldiers
systematically killed and sexually violated villagers, before torching their homes. About 400 villages
were burned by these security forces. Apart from this, they have faced many other accusations and
charges of perpetrating the Rohingya genocide and displacement by the ICJ (International Court of
Justice).
● Bangladesh - As the host country for over 1 million Rohingya refugees, Bangladesh plays a crucial role
in addressing the crisis, focusing on providing humanitarian assistance to the influx of the displaced
population, and managing refugee camps, while seeking international support for a sustainable solution.
● Gambia: Gambia, on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), filed a case against
Myanmar at the ICJ in 2019, accusing them of violating the Genocide Convention through its treatment
of the Rohingya Muslims. In 2021, the ICJ held public hearings on the provisional measures as requested
by Gambia.
● ICJ - The International Court of Justice is involved in addressing legal aspects of the Rohingya crisis,
considering allegations of genocide. Its role includes adjudicating charges against Myanmar and
influencing international legal mechanisms to hold accountable those responsible for human rights
violations. After its initial accusation of human rights abuses against the Rohingya by Myanmar in 2017,
it issued an ongoing provisional measure in 2020 after the case was filed in 2019, ordering Myanmar to
take actions to prevent genocide, protect evidence, and report on compliance. In 2021, ICJ held public
hearings on these provisional measures.
● UNHCR - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has provided relief and
advocated for Rohingya refugees' rights since August 25th, 2017. It collaborates with governments and
organizations to find durable solutions, including voluntary repatriation, resettlement, or integration, for
the displaced population.
● SOCHUM - As a committee within the United Nations General Assembly, the Social, Humanitarian,
and Cultural Committee serves as a platform for member states to discuss and formulate policies to
address the refugee crisis, including those resulting from the Rohingya genocide. SOCHUM has
facilitated diplomatic discussions, resolutions, and cooperative efforts to address the crisis within the
framework of the United Nations in 2017 as an initial attempt, and adopted a resolution in the
2021 convention.

Timeline of Key Events

● August 2017: Rohingya crisis erupts as violence escalates in Rakhine, Myanmar. UN condemns the
violence and declares the situation a genocide, calling for international intervention to address the
humanitarian crisis.
● September 2017: UNHCR reports a massive refugee influx into Bangladesh. International pressure
grows on Myanmar, with calls for accountability and a comprehensive solution.
● October 25, 2017: SOCHUM committee convenes in New York, USA, to address the Rohingya crisis.
Initial discussions focus on humanitarian aid and condemning Myanmar's actions.
● 2018-2019: UN and UNHCR intensify efforts, providing aid in Myanmar and neighboring countries
such as Bangladesh, India, etc, and advocate for a political resolution. ASEAN faces criticism for its
initial reluctance to intervene.
● 2020-2021: ICJ, located in The Hague (Netherlands) takes up the case against Myanmar, alleging
genocide. UNHCR continues refugee support. SOCHUM debates resolutions, emphasizing the urgency
of international cooperation in New York, USA.
● 2022: SOCHUM adopts a resolution in New York, USA, urging coordinated action, emphasizing the
responsibility to protect. ASEAN engages in diplomatic efforts, pushing Myanmar for a political solution
in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
● October 2023: UNHCR and SOCHUM continue addressing the ongoing refugee crisis. ICJ’s verdict in
The Hague (Netherlands) may impact future actions. ASEAN and the global community face renewed
calls for sustained efforts in resolving the Rohingya crisis in the convention hosted by Jakarta,
Indonesia.
Past Attempts at Resolving This Issue
In 2017, in response to the escalated crisis, Bangladesh and Myanmar reached a bilateral agreement to facilitate
the repatriation of Rohingya refugees (back to Myanmar). However, this initiative faced significant challenges,
including concerns about the safety and voluntary nature of the returns, as well as the lack of guarantees for the
Rohingya's civil rights and citizenship upon their return to Myanmar.
International organizations such as the United Nations and its agencies, including the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), have been actively involved in providing humanitarian aid, advocating
for the rights of the Rohingya, and pressuring the Myanmar government to address the root causes of the
violence. Despite these efforts, repatriation has been slow, with many Rohingya expressing fear of returning
without guarantees of safety and basic rights.
Regional organizations like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have also engaged in
discussions to find a diplomatic solution. However, progress has been hindered by the reluctance of some
member states to intervene in what they consider to be the internal affairs of Myanmar. The complexity of the
political landscape and the delicate balance of regional interests have posed significant challenges to the effective
resolution of the crisis.
The Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee has also addressed this issue in the past but has not come to
a concrete resolution. SOCHUM's involvement extends beyond advocacy, as it has worked to foster diplomatic
channels and collaboration among member states to find a sustainable resolution to the Rohingya refugee crisis.
The committee has called for increased cooperation with regional organizations, such as ASEAN, to leverage
their influence and diplomatic efforts. Additionally, SOCHUM has supported initiatives aimed at holding the
Myanmar government accountable for human rights abuses and fostering a conducive environment for the safe
and voluntary return of refugees.

Helpful Information
The sources below are a good starting point for research, but delegates are highly encouraged to explore
additional sources.
● https://www.unrefugees.org/news/rohingya-refugee-crisis-explained/
● https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/01/1055841
● https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/23/myanmar-signs-pact-with-bangladesh-over-
rohingya-repatriation
● https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/rohingya-crisis
● https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/myanmar-bangladesh/rohingya-refugees-bangladesh-
limiting-damage-protracted
● https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/rohingya-crisis
● https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/08/1071052
● https://www.unhcr.org/ph/rohingya-crisis-response
● https://press.un.org/en/2022

Tips for Conference Preparation and Research:

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publications, and well-known news outlets. Avoid using Wikipedia as a primary source, but it can be a
helpful starting point for finding references.
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