United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rohingya crisis Tom Andrews began a week-long visit to Bangladesh on Monday, saying "the world must not forget the roughly one million Rohingya from Myanmar".

"Yes, the special rapporteur is in Bangladesh on a visit over December 13-19," a UN official in Dhaka told Dhaka Tribune.

“The world must not forget the roughly one million Rohingya from Myanmar forced to run for their lives from the military’s genocidal attack against them," said Andrews.

"The Rohingya want nothing more than to return to their homes in Myanmar, when conditions allow for their safe, dignified and sustainable return,” he said.

While in Bangladesh, the special rapporteur will visit Dhaka, the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, and the island of Bhasan Char - where many Rohingya have been relocated.

Andrews, a former member of the United States Congress, also said, “While the Myanmar junta continues to systematically violate the people of Myanmar’s human rights, it is critical that the global community support those who have been forced to flee their homes in Myanmar for Bangladesh. I am honoured to have the opportunity to meet with them."

“I am grateful for the access the Bangladesh government is providing me on this essential mission. This visit will be an important opportunity to meet relevant government officials, international organizations and civil society organizations in relation to Myanmar," he said.

His findings will form part of his update presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2022.(SAM)