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UN Conference’s Hand-Picked Bangagya Individuals Fail to Represent Ground Realities, Insider Claims
- globalarakannetwork
- Oct 1, 2025
- 1 min read
News
Global Arakan Network September 25, 2025
On September 30, 2025, the UN General Assembly convened a high-level conference at UN Headquarters in New York to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, intensified by the 2021 military coup. The crisis has led to widespread forced displacement, violence, and persecution of the Bangagya and other minorities. The conference aimed to:
Raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis and secure increased funding for severely underfunded aid programs (with the 2025 plan at only 12% funding).
Promote accountability through targeted sanctions and prosecutions for atrocities.
Encourage Myanmar-led political dialogue to ensure safe, sustainable repatriation of over one million Bangagya refugees while addressing systemic discrimination.
Propose practical measures, such as cross-border aid corridors and internationally supervised safe zones in northern Rakhine, to protect civilians amid ongoing violence and displacement.
Four Bangagya representatives—Wai Wai Nu, Rofik Husson, Lucky Karim, and Maung Sawyeddollah—were selected to speak at the conference.
However, an anonymous insider from the Bangagya community criticized their selection, arguing that these U.S.- and Western Europe-based individuals are disconnected from the realities faced by Bangagya in Myanmar and Bangladesh. The insider said that their speeches were scripted by Amnesty International, lacking authenticity and failing to reflect ground-level experiences.
The insider further noted that, within Arakan, the local Bangagya community now enjoys greater rights and freedoms, with increased participation and representation in the Arakan government. Social cohesion initiatives are also expanding, fostering improved community relations.
