[🇧🇩] Humanitarian Corridor to Myanmar: Implications for Bangladesh.

[Saif]

Why secrecy over humanitarian corridor into Rakhine, Khosru asks government

Underscoring that the interim government’s stance on the Rakhine corridor is “unclear”, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has asked authorities why they are maintaining obscurity about the humanitarian aid passage. Speaking at a discussion at the CIRDAP c

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Why secrecy over humanitarian corridor into Rakhine, Khosru asks government

Published :
Jun 01, 2025 00:36
Updated :
Jun 01, 2025 00:36

Underscoring that the interim government’s stance on the Rakhine corridor is “unclear”, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has asked authorities why they are maintaining obscurity about the humanitarian aid passage.

Speaking at a discussion at the CIRDAP conference centre on Saturday, he said the government is not in a position to decide on the corridor, bdnews24.com reports.

He added that it would require an agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar or approval from the United Nations Security Council for the global aid organisation to play a role in this.

“Although they initially denied it, the government is holding talks on the corridor. They are also holding discussions in Qatar. What is the secret behind all this?” he asked.

Criticising the interim government’s position in establishing the aid passage, the BNP leader said: “After the corridor became controversial, the government is now talking about a channel. There is a technical difference between the two. Even if the government wants to do that, it should make it clear.

“The question is whether this government is going in the same direction as Sheikh Hasina, who sacrificed the good of the state to protect the interests of other states.”

Commenting on the war situation in Myanmar, Khosru said: “Why should the Rohingya people be sent back through the corridor through the Arakan Army? Why should the Rohingya people be sent back subject to conditions? They have the right to return home with dignity.

“The Arakan Army is engaged in armed struggle with the help of a group of Chinese. Who will guarantee this agreement with the Arakan Army? Stability is most important in Bangladesh. It cannot be exposed to a power struggle.”

Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, said: “The decision to provide a corridor is outside the agenda of the interim government. Stop such activities. This is a question of independence and sovereignty. In many places, the humanitarian corridor has been dubbed as a military corridor.”

Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) Chairman Mohammed Mojibur Rahman Bhuiyan (Monju), said: “We do not want even one more Rohingya individual. If we work on the corridor, we have to work on a contractual basis. Such a decision should have been discussed with all political parties, not in secret.”

“Even after the announcement of sending back the Rohingya people, they have entered again. The experience of other countries with the corridor is not good. This government did not need to take such a decision," said Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur.​

 

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Corridor issue seen as security risk

Politicians and experts have raised concerns that the proposed humanitarian corridor from Bangladesh to Myanmar’s Rakhine State may be a strategic distraction by the interim government from urgent domestic issues, including electoral reforms and..

www.newagebd.net

Corridor issue seen as security risk
Interim govt has no such mandate: politicians, experts
Staff Correspondent 31 May, 2025, 23:58

Politicians and experts have raised concerns that the proposed humanitarian corridor from Bangladesh to Myanmar’s Rakhine State may be a strategic distraction by the interim government from urgent domestic issues, including electoral reforms and the restoration of democratic governance.

Speaking at a seminar in the capital on Saturday, several speakers questioned the legitimacy of the caretaker administration in dealing with such a sensitive cross-border issue.

The Centre for Governance and Security Analysis organised the seminar styled as ‘Bangladesh’s Geopolitical Security: Humanitarian Corridor Perspective’ at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital.

They warned that the corridor could expose Bangladesh to foreign military and political influence, adding that it could also increase the risk of conflict along the border.

This government, said politicians, has no electoral mandate to engage in such major geopolitical decisions and people deserve clarity on what this corridor truly entails and how it may affect our national interest.

Participants slated the interim government’s handling of the matter, noting that the public remained in the dark as three separate statements from three government advisers had only added to the confusion.

Calling for transparency, political leaders demanded that the interim government must clarify its position and intentions in this regard.

They emphasised the need for a broader national dialogue and a focus on returning to democratic processes, rather than taking unilateral decisions on complex international matters.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that the timing and motive behind the corridor proposal might be a diversion from urgent domestic issues like electoral reform, governance accountability and democratic restoration.

‘The people want elections, not geopolitical experiments. We are noticing that everything is discussed — except the road map to restore democracy,’ he said.

Khasru said that the people of Bangladesh would not accept this erosion of sovereignty in the name of humanitarian corridor.

The BNP leader said that introducing a humanitarian corridor in a volatile, war-torn region could draw Bangladesh into a proxy conflict.

‘Are we to become a springboard for superpower agendas?’ he questioned.

Khasru said that they were shocked that such a major policy decision was taken without public consultation, parliamentary oversight or clarification about the legal or diplomatic basis of the initiative.

Security analyst Jaglul Ahsan presented the keynote paper at the event, warning that such a move, if aligned with the strategic agenda of any global power, could entangle Bangladesh in a dangerous geopolitical rivalry and thus destabilise its national security.

‘The decision to allow a humanitarian corridor is not only difficult but extremely sensitive. Alongside its management, ensuring national security will be critical,’ the paper read.

According to the paper, a unilateral decision by the interim government would be inappropriate, especially in the absence of an active parliament.

The paper urged the government to initiate open, inclusive discussions with the political parties and national stakeholders before committing to any such bid.

Nagorik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna raised serious concerns over the government’s lack of transparency surrounding the humanitarian corridor, warning that secrecy about the matter at the highest level poses a direct threat to national security.

The government’s denial and vague responses on any important issue signal deeper, unchecked activities that could endanger the country, observed Manna.

He also criticised a recent claim by the chief adviser that only one political party wanted election in December, calling the comment exclusionary and undemocratic.

Manna claimed that the absence of open discussions on the proposed corridor was eroding both national security and democratic integrity.

Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh secretary general Saiful Haque cautioned the interim government against exceeding its limited mandate, saying that it was only entrusted with day-to-day operations.

On the proposed humanitarian corridor, he warned, ‘We urge the government —you have done enough. Stop now before going any further.’

AB Party president Mujibur Rahman Manju stressed the need for transparency about the proposed humanitarian corridor, urging authorities to clearly outline its purpose and implications.

National Citizen Party joint convener Humaira Noor raised concerns about Bangladesh’s capacity to manage the proposed humanitarian corridor, questioning whether the country is prepared for (managing )the potential security and political risks.​

 

[Saif]

UN not involved in Rakhine humanitarian corridor: Gwyn Lewis

The United Nations is not involved in any initiative to establish a humanitarian corridor to Myanmar’s Rakhine State through Bangladesh, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis said on Wednesday. Speaking at a DCAB Talk event in Dhaka, she said the Bangladesh government was working

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

UN not involved in Rakhine humanitarian corridor: Gwyn Lewis

FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Jun 04, 2025 19:37
Updated :
Jun 04, 2025 19:37

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis -- File Photo

The United Nations is not involved in any initiative to establish a humanitarian corridor to Myanmar’s Rakhine State through Bangladesh, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a DCAB Talk event in Dhaka, she said the Bangladesh government was working on the idea, but the UN is not part of the process or any related discussions.​

 

[Saif]

Prof Yunus dismisses ‘Corridor to Rakhine', reaffirms Rohingya repatriation

Trashing the propaganda on so-called corridor to Rakhine, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday said this is completely a lie and they will continue their efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis as their repatriation is the only solution. “We have noticed that a propaganda is being

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Prof Yunus dismisses ‘Corridor to Rakhine', reaffirms Rohingya repatriation

FE Online Desk
Published :
Jun 06, 2025 21:05
Updated :
Jun 06, 2025 21:05

Trashing the propaganda on so-called corridor to Rakhine, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday said this is completely a lie and they will continue their efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis as their repatriation is the only solution.

“We have noticed that a propaganda is being spread that Bangladesh has provided a corridor for Rakhine. I am saying clearly, this is a complete lie,” he said in a televised speech to the nation in the evening.

Talking about the propaganda on corridor, Prof Yunus said this is a story to be told with a grain of saltband this is the work of those who are constantly misleading the people of Bangladesh by making false stories and creating unrest, according to UNB report.

“You should be careful about this. Do not be misled in any way. Despite this propaganda, we will not deviate from our goal. We will continue our work to solve this complex problem,” said the Chief Adviser. ‌

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, during his visit to Dhaka in March last year, proposed a relief channel to deal with the humanitarian disaster in Rakhine State.

Guterres said this proposal would be helpful in the repatriation of the Rohingyas.

“The matter still remains at the proposal stage,” Prof Yunus said.

He said when they took office, they found the Rohingya issue almost dead. “The issue had fallen off the international agenda.”

From that situation, Prof Yunus said they were able to bring the issue to the forefront of the world’s attention.

Prof Yunus had called for an international conference on the Rohingya issue at the UN General Assembly in September last year.

“You will be happy to know that all UN member states have agreed on this and have decided to organise a high-level international conference. This conference will be held in New York, USA in September this year,” he said.

At the same time, Prof Yunus said they have been able to shape international public opinion for the repatriation of the Rohingya.

During his visit to Bangladesh last March, UN Secretary-General Guterres clearly declared that repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar is the only solution to the Rohingya problem.

Another major development on the repatriation issue is the announcement by the Myanmar government of the first list of Rohingyas eligible for repatriation, Prof Yunus said.

During discussions on the sidelines of the Bimestec Summit in Bangkok last April, the Myanmar government announced for the first time that 180,000 Rohingyas are eligible for repatriation, he said.

Formal and informal contacts are being maintained with the Myanmar government and the rebel groups there to ensure the repatriation of the Rohingyas and the security of the borders, Prof Yunus said.

He said they they have discussed with state leaders and government representatives in all the countries he has have visited to deal with the Rohingya crisis and sought their cooperation. “They have also responded positively to our call.”

Prof Yunus said over 1.2 million Rohingyas are now living in the country.

About 100,000 Rohingya came between September 2023 and 2024, when there was a widespread war in Rakhine State.

“Many are still trying to come due to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian situation there,” Prof Yunus said.

He said they have taken initiatives to stop the Rohingya from coming to Bangladesh and to repatriate those who are already in Bangladesh.​