The UN Secretary-General acknowledges the independent review that scrutinizes the United Nations’ actions in Myanmar during the racial conflict and mass exodus of the Rohingyas. The report shines light on the “systemic and structural failures” that disrupted a cohesive plan’s execution, covering the 2010-2018 period. This era included the brutal and systematic abuse experienced by the Rohingya, mostly Muslims, in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. The national army and security forces initiated this shocking ethnic cleansing back in August 2017.
The United Nations’ Shortcomings in Myanmar
The independent report unearthed numerous deficiencies within the UN system. These failures prevented the proper handling of the violence against the Rohingya, including fragmented strategies, inaccurate reporting, polarization, inadequate intergovernmental support, and lack of coordination.
Fragmented Strategy
The report criticizes the UN’s piecemeal approach towards managing the violence. Grave mistakes were made due to lack of a unified plan, leading to lost opportunities to curb the crisis.
Insufficient Reporting
Instances of intentionally downplaying incidents in reports compiled by the Resident Coordinator have emerged. Additionally, some UN entities like the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) failed to share their assessments with other UN System members.
Increasing Polarization
The report also notes escalating divisions among officials and staff, driven in part by emotional reactions to the horrific events unfolding on the ground. The lack of clear communication, leadership, and a unified strategy contributed to these systemic flaws in the UN’s presence in Myanmar.
| Year | Estimated Rohingya population in Myanmar |
|---|---|
| Before 2016 | 1 million |
| 2017 | 375,000 (Approximately 625,000 fled to Bangladesh) |
Shared Responsibility and Recommendations
The protection of the Rohingyas was a shared responsibility that many parties failed to uphold. UN agencies could not support the government’s political process sufficiently. The report suggests that the UN Security Council should also accept part of the blame for not providing essential backing to the Secretariat.
One significant lesson learned is the need to cultivate an environment that promotes cooperation among various UN System entities, reinforcing a broader, system-wide strategy.
Understanding the Rohingya People and OCHA
The Rohingyas are a stateless, Indo-Aryan ethnic group residing in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Despite a history in the region dating back to the 8th century, Myanmar law does not recognize this Muslim majority, with a Hindu minority, as one of the national indigenous races. They are denied citizenship under the 1982 Myanmar nationality law, rendering them one of the most persecuted minorities globally, according to the United Nations.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which came under scrutiny in the independent report, is a branch of the United Nations Secretariat. It mobilizes humanitarian actors to respond cohesively to emergencies. OCHA is not operationally involved in delivering humanitarian programs. Instead, it serves as an honest broker, facilitator, thought leader, and global advocate, providing support to the humanitarian system.
