Rohingya repatriation policies will fail without accountability and public safety measures to address the fears and distrust among communities in Rakhine.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman told the Security Council in his briefing on developments in Myanmar on Tuesday.
The United Nations can help Myanmar to defuse inter-communal tensions and create an environment for safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees, he said.
He also stressed that the country could also tap the UN's capacities and experience in tackling other challenges, including democratic consolidation.
"We hope Myanmar will draw upon the wealth of expertise the UN can offer," said the UN official.
The estimated number of Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar since August 25 now exceeds 645,000.
He said the UN is grateful for the continued generosity of the Government and people of Bangladesh, and called on the international community to continue to support these efforts.
To that end, one of the major developments Feltman highlighted was a bilateral agreement on the issue of returns reached on November 23 between the two countries - a pact that recognizes the need for a comprehensive and durable solution through the safe, dignified, and voluntary return in accordance with international law, according to the UN and Bangladesh Mission in New York.
Feltman said returns must be supported by reconciliation efforts, and central to this is the implementation of the Rakhine Advisory Commission recommendations.
The Advisory Commission, established by Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, recommends that the Government take concrete steps, such as ending enforced segregation of Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims and ensuring full and unfettered humanitarian access throughout Rakhine state.
Feltman said that during his October visit, he explored with the authorities potential UN support in key areas.
"We urge all Myanmar leaders, including in the military, to condemn incitement to racial hatred and violence. We encourage them to adopt measures to defuse tensions between communities and create an environment for safe and dignified repatriation, including through interfaith initiatives," he said.
Feltman noted that the 2020 national elections will stand as an important test in the consolidation of the nation's democratic institutions.
He noted that the General Assembly is expected to approve a resolution that requests the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Envoy for Myanmar. This initiative can strengthen the partnership between the UN and Myanmar, in close consultations with interested Member States in the region and beyond.
"We believe we have much to offer in working with Myanmar on a number of challenges the country faces, in full respect of Myanmar's sovereignty," he said, says a UNB report.
The meeting was a follow-up to the Council's presidential statement on the situation in Myanmar adopted on 6 November, which requested the Secretary-General to brief on developments 30 days after its adoption.
Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten also addressed the Security Council meeting on the situation in Myanmar. She visited Bangladesh from November 5 to 13.
