The Rohingya Crisis: A Critical Analysis of the United Nations Security Council and International Human Rights Law

Abstract

This essay reviews the human rights violations against the Rohingya people in 2017 and assesses the effectiveness of accountability under the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). It is concluded that under the principles of ethics and integrity in international law and human rights law, there should have been investigations into the crimes committed against Rohingya Muslims in accordance with the judgement given by the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber. The essay underlines the fundamental principles of ethics and integrity in international law and human rights law. The principles of ethics and integrity in international law should have allowed the UNSC to act in accordance with the international doctrine of human rights. It is concluded that the UNSC's failure to carry out its obligations was solely due to Russia's political ties with Myanmar, which also resulted in Russia using its veto power and obstructing the UNSC's statement on the situation. The banal approach to the implementation and enforcement of international law and human rights has paralysed the principle of ethics and integrity. In this light, the essay affirms there is a need to create a better framework to resolve issues such as the Rohingya genocide and the Russian invasion of Ukraine and any complications that may arise in the future. It is suggested that in addition to the United Nations Assembly and the UNSC, there is a need to create a conflict management body within these two settings. Keywords: Accountability; Genocide; Human Dignity; Human Rights Law; Human Rights Violations; International law; Rohingyal; Russia; States; Ukraine; United National General Assembly; United National Security Council;