“The Holy See urges all parties to uphold international human rights standards and take concrete measures to protect ethnic and religious minorities,” Gallagher said
Newsroom (01/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) In a powerful address to the United Nations on September 30, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, decried the ongoing persecution of Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims and other minorities, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis and calling for urgent international action.
Speaking at a high-level UN conference in New York focused on the plight of the Rohingya and other minority groups in Myanmar, Gallagher revealed stark figures: over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees are displaced and stateless, with approximately 89% seeking asylum in Bangladesh. Despite the “generous response” from neighboring countries, he noted, Rohingya women and children continue to endure overcrowded conditions in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Additionally, around 630,000 Rohingya in Myanmar’s Rakhine State remain stateless, facing forced conscription, discrimination, hunger, and persecution by armed groups and military personnel.
Humanitarian Aid Falls Short
Gallagher warned that insufficient funding threatens access to essential services, including basic healthcare, food assistance, and education, in the coming months. This shortfall risks exacerbating vulnerabilities, potentially fueling organized crime and human trafficking networks. “All actors must ensure unrestricted and nondiscriminatory access to humanitarian aid,” he urged, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
Looking beyond short-term relief, Gallagher advocated for addressing the root causes of the crisis to reduce dependency on international aid. He called for progress toward reconciliation and national integration, stating, “The Holy See firmly believes that religious differences should not fuel division but promote unity, forgiveness, and nation-building.”
The Role of Religion in Peacebuilding
Highlighting the potential of religious communities, Gallagher stressed that faiths can play a pivotal role in resolving conflicts, fostering dialogue, upholding justice, and amplifying the voices of the marginalized. He underscored the importance of fully respecting religious freedom in every nation and condemned all forms of discrimination, persecution, and violence based on ethnicity or religion.
“The Holy See urges all parties to uphold international human rights standards and take concrete measures to protect ethnic and religious minorities,” Gallagher concluded. His remarks echoed Pope Leo XIV’s appeal during the June 15 Angelus, where the pontiff called for “inclusive dialogue” as the only path to a peaceful and lasting resolution.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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