🇧🇩 Insurgencies in Myanmar. Implications for Bangladesh

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7th anniv of Rohingya influx: Crisis deepens as funds falling

A drastic fall in humanitarian funds and uncertainty about repatriation mark the seventh anniversary of Rohingya influx into Bangladesh, thereby putting both refugees and host communities at risk, experts said. Those involved in the humanitarian assistance at grass-roots level have cautioned that

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7th anniv of Rohingya influx: Crisis deepens as funds falling
* Experts suggest opening talks with Arakan Army * We are observing situation, says foreign secy * Fund crisis compromises with life-saving aid

MIR MOSTAFIZUR RAHAMAN
Published :
Aug 24, 2024 21:10
Updated :
Aug 24, 2024 22:44

A drastic fall in humanitarian funds and uncertainty about repatriation mark the seventh anniversary of Rohingya influx into Bangladesh, thereby putting both refugees and host communities at risk, experts said.

Those involved in the humanitarian assistance at grass-roots level have cautioned that thousands at Rohingya camps are in peril as they have to compromise with food rationing and others.

For the last couple of years, only 40 per cent of the humanitarian funds required for the refugees were received, according to officials.

Moreover, as the repatriation of the Rohingya is not in sight in near future, experts suggest Bangladesh start talks with the Arakan Army who are practically in control of Rakhine State, the homeland of over 0.1 million Rohingya now staying here.

“Fund deficit is painful but we are trying hard to encourage the donors to continue their funding,” foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen told the FE.

Usually, donors tend to reduce funding for old refugee situations and funding for the Rohingya is declining with the emergence of new situations in Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East, he explained.

However, those working at grass-roots level to provide humanitarian aid make it clear that thousands of Rohingya will be under severe threat due to malnutrition if funds continue to decline.

“This declining trend is a matter of grave concern because if the funding is shortened, life-saving assistance will be compromised,” said Manish Kumar Agrawal, country director of the Concern Worldwide.

“And this will be dangerous, not only for the camps, but then also for the Bangladesh host community, because you have a million-plus people, if they are deprived of life-saving assistance, then it’s definitely going to have much larger implications for surrounding areas.”

He said malnutrition has been worsening due to cuts in food rationing and the number of children with clear malnutrition symptoms is rising day by day.

Concern Worldwide is responsible for over 60 per cent of nutrition-related activities at 22 refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.

Asked about a way out, Mr Manish laid more emphasis on development funding to engage the refugees in income-generating and livelihood activities.

Furthermore, attracting development funding would be a good alternative in the face of declining humanitarian support, he told the FE.

On the other hand, experts suggested the government open up channels for communication with the Arakan Army.

A latest report of the International Crisis Group (ICG) said, “For all the challenges it’s facing domestically, Bangladesh also has a key role to play in Rakhine State. The emergence on its border of a de facto state that aspires to permanent autonomy will require the new interim government in Dhaka to expand the scope of its engagement with the Arakan Army...”

Asked about opening communication with the Arakan Army, Mr Momen told the FE that the government was observing the situation.

“We see reports that the Myanmar military government is losing ground in Rakhine,” said the seasoned diplomat, adding that Myanmar assured Bangladesh that they are committed to taking back the Rohingya.

“If the situation demands, the government can talk to all stakeholders to ensure safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya.”

In just a few months, the Arakan Army has created the largest area in Myanmar under the control of a non-state armed group in terms of both size and population and is now on the verge of securing almost all of Rakhine.

According to the ICG, Rakhine remains at a perilous juncture, requiring leaders of both Rakhine and Rohingya communities to rise above their historical animosity and defuse tensions.

It has urged the Arakan Army to incorporate more Rohingya into its administration and commit to supporting an independent investigation into allegations of abuses against civilians.

Narrating the current situation, the Amnesty International said acute funding shortfall led to food insecurity in camps as well as shortcomings in health care and education.

“Bangladesh continues to host nearly 0.1-million Rohingya refugees in camps in poor conditions for the seventh consecutive year. Last year, at least 12,000 refugees in camps were rendered homeless due to devastating fires and the impact of cyclone Mocha.”

“Bangladesh’s new interim government should prioritize the protection of Rohingya refugees’ human rights and their safety in camps, uphold the principle of non-refoulment, and adopt a rights-respecting policy towards the Rohingya,” the Amnesty said in a report.

On 25 August 2017, Myanmar security forces launched a widespread and systematic assault on Rohingya villages after an armed group calling itself the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army carried out deadly attacks on police posts.

The military response included extrajudicial killings, destruction of properties and sexual assault. As a result of the military’s so-called “clearance operations”, more than 740,000 Rohingya women, men and children fled northern Rakhine to neighbouring Bangladesh.​

 

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Rohingya's fate remains unchanged even after seven years

The Rohingya have faced a continuous process of de-legitimization, systematic persecution, and worsening abuses culminating in genocide. Today is the seventh year of the Myanmar military's genocidal attacks against the Rohingya. The Rohingya diaspora in different countries observe today as "Rohingy

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Rohingya's fate remains unchanged even after seven years
Mahbubul Haque
Published :
Aug 24, 2024 22:15
Updated :
Aug 24, 2024 22:15

The Rohingya have faced a continuous process of de-legitimization, systematic persecution, and worsening abuses culminating in genocide. Today is the seventh year of the Myanmar military's genocidal attacks against the Rohingya. The Rohingya diaspora in different countries observe today as "Rohingya Genocide Day''. In this day, Rohingya political groups urged global leaders to end the cycle of impunity and act against the genocides and no perpetrator should go unpunished.

The genocide has consisted of two phases to date: the first was a military crackdown that occurred from October 2016 to January 2017, and the second has been occurring since August 2017. Consequently, more than a million Rohingya have fled the country because of well-founded fears of persecution. It can be stated that from 2012 to 2016 and most dramatically in 2017, wholesale destruction, systematic rape, and mass killings were carried out against Rohingya as a part of the government policy to eradicate them from their ancestors' land. The Rohingya atrocity is now the subject of a genocide investigation by the International Court of Justice.

The ongoing political situation in Myanmar especially after the Military coup witnessed that without accountability and justice, the future generations of Rohingya will face again genocide. The foremost priority of the existing Rohingya people who have become exiles is to return home in safety, dignity, and justice. But the reality is they cannot return where genocide is still ongoing. There must be credible accountability to ensure victims see justice served and the cycle of violence is not repeated. It is very clear if Rohingya do not get full citizenship rights, it will never be safe for them to return to Myanmar. There has been no visible progress regarding the repatriation agreement signed between the governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar on 23 November 2017. Bangladesh called on the United Nations to effectively engage with Myanmar to facilitate the sustainable repatriation of the displaced Rohingya people to their homes in Rakhine State. Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader of Bangladesh, has delivered his first major government policy to address and promised to support the Rohingya community seeking refuge in the country. Professor Yunus pledged that his government "will continue to support the Rohingya people sheltered in Bangladesh". He also mentioned that "we need the sustained efforts of the international community for Rohingya humanitarian operations and their eventual repatriation to their homeland, Myanmar, with safety, dignity and full rights."

Currently, in Bangladesh, more than a million forced-displaced Rohingya have no right to work and are completely reliant upon international aid for their survival. It is a very common scenario for displaced Rohingyas to have the right to work in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. In the above-mentioned ASEAN countries, Rohingya are treated as 'illegal migrants. The root cause of forced displacement of Rohingya is connected to the criteria of the 'refugee' according to the 1951 Refugee Convention. The international community has also failed to adequately support the Rohingya in their hour of need. Recently the UN's World Food Programme (WFP), has announced cuts to funding for the refugee camps in Bangladesh. Amidst rising global food costs, an increase in the number of geopolitical crises such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the Gaza war, and overstretched international humanitarian aid budgets, these cuts form part of a broader trend in declining support for protracted humanitarian crises in the global south. Some countries are backing a short-sighted plan to repatriate Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh before their safe return to Myanmar can be ensured. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR has called for more durable solutions from the international community which include increasing the resettlement of Rohingya refugees in third countries. Few countries have stepped up to support resettlement or other durable solutions for Rohingya. It can be mentioned that Australia has contributed to this containment policy despite calls from Bangladeshi authorities and international advocacy groups to increase their resettlement of refugees and to increase support for resettlement in other countries. The total number of third-country resettlement for Rohingyas is very low compared to Ukrainian refugees.

After three years of military coup in Myanmar, the landscape of the country's conflict is changed enormously. The military faces a national uprising that spans the breadth of the country. It is for the first time in its history, that Myanmar's military has lost control over vast areas of territory and strategically significant bases. The Human Rights Watch and various media published that Myanmar Military and the opposition Arakan Army (AA) have committed extrajudicial killings and widespread arson against Rohingya, Rakhine, and other civilians in Myanmar's western Rakhine State since the end of 2023. The offensive has also dramatically overrun two strategically important townships on the border with Bangladesh - Buthidaung in late May, and almost completely, the town of Maungdaw later. The diaspora Rohingya community is concerned that the AA's success could inflame communal tensions between ethnic Buddhist Rakhine and Rohingya Muslims, who make up a majority in both townships. The AA stated that they are fighting for more autonomy for the ethnic Rakhine population in the state, which is also home to around 600,000 Rohingya who remained after the 2017 crackdown. It does not mean that AA recognizes the Rohingyas as indigenous people of the present Rakhine State. The medical charity organization, Doctors without Borders, popularly known as MSF also mentioned that more Rohingya are arriving in Bangladesh from Myanmar with war-inflicted injuries amid escalating conflict between the military and the AA in Rakhine State. It should be mentioned here that the military's unlawful recruitment of Rohingya men and boys has stoked communal tensions between the Rohingya Muslim and Rakhine Buddhist communities. The clashes have since moved west to Maungdaw, where fighting has surged over the past weeks, with reports of killings and other abuses against the Rohingya population, including children, women, and older people. Rights groups urged that all parties to the conflict should stop hate speech, and unlawful attacks and allow aid agencies to conduct humanitarian support to those in need.

Since November 2019, different initiatives have been taken against the genocides in Myanmar including provisional measures by the International Court of Justice (Gambia vs Myanmar case). Despite these measures, community leaders and rights groups witnessed that the Myanmar military has continued to burn the Rohingya villages and burying bodies in mass graves in order to destroy the evidence of atrocities committed. No genocide can be prevented if a culture of impunity exists. In addition, the international community also cannot avoid its responsibility to protect the Rohingya people from further atrocities.

Dr. Mahbubul Haque currently working as a faculty member at the Faculty of Law and International Relations at the University Sultan Zainal Abidin, Malaysia, and one of the founder members of the Initiatives for Human Rights in Asia-IHRA (human rights-related civil society forum).​

 

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Prevent a repeat of Rohingya atrocities

International community should play a more active role

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Prevent a repeat of Rohingya atrocities
International community should play a more active role

We are deeply concerned that the United Nations has stated the Myanmar conflict is becoming so volatile that the atrocities of 2017 may be repeated against the Rohingyas. The UN human rights chief Volker Turk expressed concern on Friday, saying that the situation across Myanmar, particularly in Rakhine, has sharply deteriorated recently. Additionally, reports suggest that hundreds of civilians have been killed while trying to flee the fighting.

Exactly seven years ago today, the second phase of the Rohingya genocide had started. It is estimated that between August 25 and September 24, 2017, at least 6,700 Rohingya were killed. Despite the Myanmar government dismissing these findings as exaggerations, the UN found evidence of widespread human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, summary executions, gang rapes, the arson of Rohingya villages, businesses and schools, among other horrific atrocities. Currently, a case is ongoing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Myanmar of abetting genocide against the Rohingya ethnic group.

Following the events of 2017, an estimated 750,000 Rohingyas fled from Myanmar into Bangladesh and took shelter in various refugee camps. Despite repeated dialogues between Myanmar and Bangladesh for the safe repatriation of these Rohingyas back to their homeland, we have seen little to no progress made over the years. With clashes between the Arakan Army and Myanmar's ruling junta worsening, the possibility of further destabilisation in the region due to the ongoing situation in Myanmar seems to be rising rapidly.

Reportedly, thousands of Rohingyas have already been forced to flee again on foot, with the Arakan Army herding them repeatedly into locations that offer scant safe haven. Finding themselves trapped between the military and its allies and the Arakan Army, many of them are again looking to cross into Bangladesh. Given that Bangladesh is already overwhelmed with its own issues, as well as struggling to continue providing support to the Rohingya that had earlier sought shelter within its territories, the influx of even more Rohingya into Bangladesh could prove disastrous.

The burden of supporting the Rohingya—on humanitarian grounds, and rightly so—has been massive on Bangladesh. As such, we invite the international community to be more active in solving the Myanmar crisis so that this burden can be lifted and the region can regain some of its lost stability. We hope that every influential member of the international community, including the collective West, China and India, will urgently respond to this call.​

 

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Don’t let the Rohingya return to uncertainty

Safety and dignity in Myanmar must be ensured in repatriation talks.

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Don’t let the Rohingya return to uncertainty
Safety and dignity in Myanmar must be ensured in repatriation talks

We are glad to finally see some positive development in the repatriation process of Rohingya refugees living in squalid refugee camps in Bangladesh. Through China's mediation, Myanmar officials agreed to take back their forcibly displaced nationals during a meeting with a Bangladesh delegation earlier this week, according to a report in this daily. Bangladesh and Myanmar are now discussing the repatriation of 3,000 Rohingya refugees by December. This development is indeed big and timely, given the worsening humanitarian crisis that the Rohingya refugees face today. The agreement to let the Rohingya visit Myanmar for a second time as a confidence-building measure is also a prudent move.

However, one cannot help but feel a little apprehensive about Myanmar's reassurances regarding Rohingya repatriation. After Bangladesh and Myanmar signed the repatriation agreement back in 2017, attempts were made in 2018 and 2019, but they failed because the Rohingya, with memories of the atrocities inflicted upon them still fresh in their minds, did not feel safe going back. The Rohingya fled Rakhine to escape a military crackdown that the UN has termed an act of "ethnic cleansing." Given that the same military junta runs Myanmar today, we cannot help but sympathise with the Rohingya's lack of confidence. There is also the issue of the Rohingya's full recognition as Myanmar citizens – something the country's government has yet to commit to.

But there is no alternative to repatriation – as the Rohingya themselves have been saying. Since the latest and largest exodus in 2017, Bangladesh has been hosting more than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees with its limited resources and help from the international community. But recent global events have diverted the international community's attention away from this crisis, which has caused a severe setback in aid supply. Earlier this year, the World Food Programme (WFP) had to slash the food assistance for the Rohingya twice as there were not enough funds. In the camps, the Rohingya have no access to education, crime rates are on the rise, and in a desperate attempt to find a better life outside of the camps, some refugees have even gone on deadly sea voyages in the past few years.

We have to listen to what the Rohingya want, and all they want are their basic rights restored, recognition as Myanmar's citizens, and a safe and dignified life back in their homeland. We appreciate what China has done to get the ball rolling on Rohingya repatriation, but now the rest of the international community must also step in. Let the humanitarian agencies, who have been working on the ground since the beginning of this crisis, get involved in the process. Together with the international community and the humanitarian agencies, Myanmar must work with Bangladesh to come up with a viable plan that will ensure that the Rohingya get what they deserve.​

 

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Rohingya must be repatriated to their original villages

Myanmar must not backtrack on its promise.

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Rohingya must be repatriated to their original villages
Myanmar must not backtrack on its promise

We are disappointed by the comments made by the Myanmar delegation who recently visited the Cox's Bazar refugee camps to verify the Rohingya's identities. The delegation was also there to brief the Rohingya about the repatriation process, citizenship procedures and other facilities. When the refugees reiterated their demand to return to their original homes—not to the villages or camps set up for them in Rakhine—the delegates apparently could not make any such commitment. Reportedly, all they could say was that they would discuss the matter with the higher authorities in Naypyidaw. We are surprised at their answer at a time when all arrangements are underway to start the repatriation process by sending the first batch of Rohingya—some 3,000 of them—to Myanmar by December this year.

Over the past few months, we witnessed some encouraging developments regarding the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar. China's initiative to mediate the process with Myanmar was particularly commendable, after years of foot-dragging by the international community to resolve the crisis. And after Chinese Special Envoy on Myanmar Deng Xijun hinted in early August that Myanmar may take back the Rohingya living in Cox's Bazar to their own villages in North Maungdaw and nearby places—instead of any camps or "model villages" that the Myanmar authorities had planned earlier—we were hopeful about the safe and dignified return of the Rohingya refugees, who have been living in squalid camps for the last six years.

Reportedly, in September, Myanmar agreed to allow international volunteers, including those from the UN, China and ASEAN countries, to take part in humanitarian assistance during the repatriation process. It also agreed to let the Rohingya visit Myanmar for a second time as a confidence-building measure.

But now we have learnt that Myanmar is planning to repatriate the Rohingya to 20 model villages on a pilot basis. This is unacceptable; the Rohingyas themselves have made this clear time and again. They have also demanded their citizenship and voting rights upon their return. Therefore, we would like to remind the Myanmar authorities that they cannot just backtrack on their promise of repatriating the Rohingya to their original villages. If they do so, it may result in another failed repatriation effort.​

 

[Saif]

Will Rakhine breakaway from Myanmar?

বাংলাদেশ-মিয়ানমার সীমান্তে অস্থিরতা বৃদ্ধির শঙ্কা

 

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Experts sound alarm on new Rohingya crackdown in Myanmar

The Arakan Army, which says it is fighting for more autonomy for the ethnic Rakhine population in Myanmar, has made steady territorial advances this year near the Bangladeshi border

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Experts sound alarm on new Rohingya crackdown in Myanmar
AFP Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
Published: 27 Aug 2024, 18: 42

Rohingya refugees gather to mark the seventh anniversary of their fleeing from neighbouring Myanmar to escape a military crackdown in 2017, during heavy monsoon rains in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, on 25 August 2024 Reuters

The persecuted and stateless Rohingya minority is caught in a new violent crackdown in Myanmar, with children among those killed, two reports from influential expert groups warned Tuesday.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled Myanmar for neighbouring Bangladesh in 2017 during a crackdown by the military that is now the subject of a United Nations genocide court case.

But around 600,000 remain in the country's western state of Rakhine, where they have found themselves in the middle of an escalating conflict between junta-run Myanmar's armed forces and the rebel Arakan Army.

The situation has been inflamed further by the Myanmar military's forced recruitment of Rohingya to battle the rebel group, including reportedly more than 2,000 from Bangladeshi refugee camps.

Watchdog Fortify Rights said its interviews with eyewitnesses established that the Arakan Army had this month launched a drone and mortar attack on Rohingya civilians.

The bombardment killed more than 100 Rohingya men, women and children on the border with Bangladesh, Fortify Rights said.

"The fact that the AA first sent a surveillance drone before launching the massive attack shows clearly that the group intentionally attacked a civilian crowd," the group said.

The Arakan Army denied responsibility for the assault in an 7 August statement and again through its political wing 10 days later.

The International Crisis Group think tank said that many Rohingya on the ground blamed the rebel group for the attack, along with other acts of violence and persecution.

"The combination of words and alleged deeds have fuelled polarisation and driven greater numbers of Rohingya to volunteer for the military or armed groups," it said.

'Moral duty'

The reports come days after the UN Human Rights Office said it had information showing the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army had both committed serious abuses against the Rohingya.

They included extrajudicial killings, abductions, forced recruitment, indiscriminate bombardments of villages and arson attacks.

"Recurrence of the crimes and horrors of the past must be prevented as a moral duty," UN rights chief Volker Turk said.

The Arakan Army, which says it is fighting for more autonomy for the ethnic Rakhine population in Myanmar, has made steady territorial advances this year near the Bangladeshi border.

Bangladesh is home to around one million Rohingya refugees, most of whom fled the 2017 crackdown.

Further complicating the security situation for Rohingya there was the ousting this month of autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India.

Hasina was replaced by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who is leading an interim government ahead of expected elections.

He pledged to continue to support Bangladesh's population of Rohingya refugees, but said his country needed "the sustained efforts of the international community" to do so.​

 

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Will there ever be a sustainable solution of the Rohingya crisis?

On Aug. 25, 2017, hundreds of thousands of refugees started crossing the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh, entering Bangladesh on foot and by boats amid indiscriminate killings and other acts of violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state. Those fleeing attacks and violence in the 2017 exodus joined a

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Will there ever be a sustainable solution of the Rohingya crisis?
Muhammad Zamir
Published :
Sep 01, 2024 21:47
Updated :
Sep 01, 2024 21:47

Photo taken on Sept. 12, 2017 shows Rohingya refugees arriving by boat at Shah Parir Dwip on the Bangladesh side of the Naf River after fleeing violence in Myanmar Photo : Agency

On Aug. 25, 2017, hundreds of thousands of refugees started crossing the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh, entering Bangladesh on foot and by boats amid indiscriminate killings and other acts of violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state. Those fleeing attacks and violence in the 2017 exodus joined around 300,000 people already in Bangladesh from previous waves of displacement, effectively forming the world's largest refugee camp. Six years later, about half a million Rohingya refugee children are living in exile from their home country.

This was not the first time that such a situation evolved in Bangladesh. We watched a similar scenario that had evolved in 1977 and 1992 and had led to tens of thousands of Rohingyas seeking sanctuary in the south eastern Districts of Bangladesh bordering Myanmar. In 1979 and 1992, some quarter-million Rohingya refugees were repatriated within a year of arrival.

In February, 2024, growing apprehension was palpable in Bangladesh as the civil war in neighbouring Myanmar inched closer to its border, with two deaths reported when stray shells from Myanmar landed in a village in the hilly Bandarban District. Aware of the rising threat, Bangladesh placed security forces on high alert along its 270-mile frontier with Myanmar's restive Rakhine state, with particular focus on the Naf River that serves as a natural boundary.

Historically known as Arakan, Myanmar's Rakhine state was the site of a brutal military crackdown in 2017 that drove more than 1 million ethnic Rohingyas to seek refuge in Bangladesh. Initially welcoming them with open arms, Bangladesh has since grown restless over their prolonged presence.

Current Foreign Affairs Adviser in the Bangladesh Interim Government Touhid Hossain made an interesting observation at that time regarding their repatriation. He noted that one of the existing challenges pertaining to their repatriation came from the fact that although Myanmar's ruling military junta had approved to take back the displaced Rohingyas, it had not agreed to grant them citizenship. Such a situation was not acceptable to the Rohingya refugees as they refused to return to their country under a military junta they distrust. Until the conditions are in place in Myanmar that would allow Rohingya families to return home with basic rights - safety from violence, citizenship, free movement, health and education - they are stuck as refugees or internally displaced persons living in overcrowded and sometimes dangerous conditions.

Currently, a grim picture continues to present itself in the extensive Rohingya camps in coastal Cox's Bazar, the southernmost district of Bangladesh. The sounds of gunfire and explosions in Rakhine resonate within the makeshift shelters, underscoring the reality of the situation.

The Arakan Army, a predominantly non-Rohingya rebel group fighting for an autonomous Rakhine state, launched a significant offensive last October, coordinating with other ethnic armed groups to place immense pressure on Myanmar's ruling military, known as the Tatmadaw. Reports have since suggested that the Tatmadaw has retaliated with artillery bombardments causing civilian casualties, including Rohingyas in Rakhine. The death of villagers caused by stray shelling and the entry of more than 200 members of Myanmar's border police force, many of them wounded, taking refuge in Bangladesh also created further apprehension within Bangladesh. This led to worries that the conflict might spill over into Bangladesh.

Many analysts took that opportunity to reiterate that armed groups and any new influx of refugees would no longer be welcome in Bangladesh, which has grappled with displaced Rohingyas three times in four decades.

Since 2017, Dhaka's diplomatic efforts have been stalled by the absence of safety guarantees and denial of citizenship, while broad international condemnation of Myanmar's military as perpetrators of genocide has failed to soften the junta's stance. Even Dhaka's efforts to have China broker a deal with the Tatmadaw have yet to produce results.

Adviser Hossain, however, remains hopeful that negotiations involving the pro-democracy National Unity Government (NUG) formed by elements of the ousted civilian government, could play a significant role in resolving the crisis. He also sees the Arakan Army as a key player in the process. It may also be noted that on the eve of the coup's third anniversary, the NUG has reiterated its commitment to ending the military's political rule and transitioning the country back to civilian governance through negotiations. That potentially leaves the door open for talks, provided Myanmar's military accepts the NUG's political objectives. Hossain also believes that both the NUG and the Arakan Army could be pivotal in resolving the Rohingya crisis, pointing out that the NUG has already recognized the Rohingyas as citizens and promised them security and rights. He has also called for Bangladesh to establish an informal channel of communication with the groups.

However, analysts and strategists have observed at different times that a further complication of the crisis has been created because of the geopolitical rivalry between India and China. Beijing's US Dollar 7.3 billion effort to create a Bay of Bengal deep-sea port in Kyaukphyu on the Rakhine coast, which has been in development since 2010, is being perceived with anxiety by India. This feeling has been generated because India knows that completion of such a port is expected to give China strategic access to the Indian Ocean, allowing it to bypass the narrow Strait of Malacca through which some 80 per cent of its oil imports now arrive from the Middle East.

Meanwhile, India's development of a port in Sittwe got underway in 2023. It is the first node of a US Dollar 484 million project aimed at connecting greater India with its landlocked northeast through western Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin states, bypassing Bangladesh.

Amid those challenges, Bangladesh is left to manage a delicate balancing act while hoping for a resolution to the Rohingya crisis and a peaceful resolution to the conflict on its border with Myanmar.

Working with the government of Bangladesh and partners, UNICEF has been helping to provide water and sanitation including the establishment of diarrhea treatment centres, health services for children and pregnant women, support for access to education, including establishing learning centres. Their efforts in this regard have been critical for creating, protecting and promoting respect for the rights and dignity of the Rohingya refugees. UNICEF hopes that their efforts to provide educational opportunities to the Rohingya refugees will ensure that the refugees are equipped and ready to return to a life of dignity in their homeland.

H. Tameesuddin Co-Secretary General of Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network has correctly observed, "one of the most glaring failures of the international community has been its inability to act promptly during the peak of the genocide in 2017. The absence of emergency intake or resettlement programmes at that critical time was a damning indictment of the global response to the Rohingya crisis. Over the years, the Rohingya crisis has become a stark example of the consequences of prolonged and systematic persecution. The Rohingya community, both in Myanmar and in the diaspora, has faced unimaginable hardships. The response from the international community, including regional bodies like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has also been woefully inadequate. While emergency aid has been provided, long-term solutions have been conspicuously absent".

Beth Van Shaack, Special Ambassador to the U.S. Department of Foreign Affairs, was recently interviewed at the Washington DC Metropolitan Foreign Affairs Department. It is interesting to note that B.V. Shaack referred to the existing number of lawsuits filed in many courts against the way the Rohingya people have been treated. There has been reference to contravention of international law including the Genocide Convention. There has also been reference to the fact that although investigations are ongoing, the ICC International Criminal Court has not yet been able to issue an arrest warrant. Reference has also been made to the fact that a case was filed against Myanmar by Gambia in the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) but nothing has emerged from it.

Consequently, many strategic analysts have observed that although the issue of human rights is reiterated by the United Nations and most countries like the United States, United Kingdom, the EU, necessary measures are not undertaken to ensure its implementation.

This month marks seven years since the military operations in Myanmar drove 700,000 people across the border into Bangladesh. Despite the world saying "never again", we are witnessing killings, destruction and displacement in the Rakhine State.

Parties to the armed conflict are issuing statements denying responsibility for attacks against the Rohingya and others, acting as though they are powerless to protect them. This stretches the bounds of credulity. Despite repeated warnings and calls for action, the ongoing violence also underscores the prevailing sense of impunity and the persistent challenges in ensuring protection of civilians in accordance with international law.

The UN Secretary-General has called on all parties to the conflict in Myanmar to end the violence and ensure the protection of civilians in accordance with applicable international human rights standards and international humanitarian law. He has also renewed his appeal to strengthen regional protection efforts to provide access to conflict-affected communities and further support host countries, including through the 2024 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis.

Bangladesh, however, will continue to wait, but nothing seems to be on the cards in the near future.

Muhammad Zamir, a former Ambassador, is an analyst specialised in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance.​

 

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'8,000 Rohingyas entered Bangladesh in recent weeks'

Says foreign adviser

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'8,000 Rohingyas entered Bangladesh in recent weeks'
Says foreign adviser

A Rohingya camp. File photo

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has said around 8,000 Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh in recent weeks, as tens of thousands were displaced amid intensified conflicts between the Arakan Army and Myanmar military.

"I have information that some 8,000 Rohingyas entered Bangladesh. In a day or two, we will have serious discussions on how to prevent fresh influx," he told reporters at the foreign ministry today.

Some 7,50,000 Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh after the brutal military campaign against them in Myanmar's Rakhine State since August 2017.

Now, over a million Rohingyas are sheltered in the refugee camps, creating a range of challenges for Bangladesh.

The Arakan Army now controls most of the Rakhine State. Battles between the Arakan Army and Myanmar junta in early August forced the displacement of thousands of the remaining 6,00,000 Rohingya residing in the state.

Several thousands of Rohingyas also took shelter along the Naf River bordering Bangladesh, and there were reports of Rohingyas entering Bangladesh, but no confirmed figure was known until it was disclosed today.

"Various forces are there [along the border]. We cannot deny that there is corruption there," the adviser said in response to how Rohingyas could enter despite border security forces being there.

"We will try to prevent any fresh Rohingya influx. We cannot give shelter to new Rohingyas as it is beyond our capacity," he added.

Asked about sealing the border, Hossain said it is difficult to seal any border as there are various forces, as well as interests of locals. However, the government will try to seal the border.

He said he will meet the home adviser and also discuss the matter at the council of advisers in a day or two.

Asked if he supports the notion that Bangladesh needs to establish contact with the Arakan Army, Hossain said, "It is not the issue of my personal affair, but a state matter."

In the aftermath of August 5, there have been a series of attacks against minority groups, mostly Hindus. The Indian High Commission also drastically reduced the number of visas being issued to Bangladesh.

Asked if there's any enmity growing between Dhaka and New Delhi, Hossain said it is now an abnormal time and abnormal things happen in such time.

"The situation is getting normal and will be more stable in a few days. Then, we will see how things evolve," he added.

Hossain also informed the media that Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will be attending the UN General Assembly for five days starting from September 22.​

 

[Saif]

Explosions in Myanmar again, Rohingyas enter afresh

The people in bordering areas of Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar district had to pass sleepless night after midnight past Saturday as panic gripped them due to the sounds of gunshots and bomb explosions in Myanmar territory...

www.newagebd.net

Explosions in Myanmar again, Rohingyas enter afresh
Our Correspondent . Cox’s Bazar 09 September, 2024, 00:05

The people in bordering areas of Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar district had to pass sleepless night after midnight past Saturday as panic gripped them due to the sounds of gunshots and bomb explosions in Myanmar territory.

Meanwhile, Rohingyas were again entering Bangladesh fleeing conflict in Myanmar, officials said.

Locals said that explosions could be heard at night in Sadar, Sabrang Shahpari union and some border points of Teknaf upazila.

A hand grenade was found in a floating bag in the Naf River of Teknaf Sunday morning. It was found by local fishermen who handed it over to the members of Border Guard Bangladesh.

Teknaf-2 BGB battalion commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed confirmed the news.

He said that local fishermen saw a bag floating on the Naf River at Sabrang Point in the morning.

‘When they opened the bag, they found a grenade inside it. The fishermen informed the matter to BGB members. A team of BGB reached the spot and took the grenade under their custody. There is no specific information about the grenade’s manufacturing country and how the bag came to the river, he added.

The hand grenade has been kept in the BGB battalion office, said the official.

Ukhia Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tanveer Hossain and Teknaf UNO Adnan Chowdhury separately said that some new Rohingya families had taken shelter in different camps of the upazilas.

‘A large number of Rohingyas were sent back to Myanmar from the Naf River during the infiltration. Patrolling along the Naf River and the border has been strengthened to prevent infiltration,’ Teknaf UNO, however, said.

Main Uddin, assistant superintendent of police of 16 Armed Police Battalion said that, Some Rohingyas had entered the camps.

Teknaf-2 BGB battalion commanding officer Lieutenant colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed said that, they were resisting the attempts of Rohingyas to enter Bangladesh.

Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Md Shamsud Douza said that 8,000 Rohingyas had entered Bangladesh after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5.

Foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain said that Bangladesh was already hosting 12 lakh Rohingya people and it could not afford even a single more from Myanmar.​

 

[Saif]

Rohingyas, we have not forgotten you

IN 2016, I was a health intern at the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur. In that period, I dealt with refugees from different countries who came to seek various forms of help. Among the hundreds of Rohingya men and women that I met, one young gentleman particularly stood out. Maung (not his real...

www.newagebd.net

Rohingyas, we have not forgotten you
Raudah Yunus 09 September, 2024, 00:00

Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. | Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

IN 2016, I was a health intern at the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur. In that period, I dealt with refugees from different countries who came to seek various forms of help. Among the hundreds of Rohingya men and women that I met, one young gentleman particularly stood out. Maung (not his real name) was a 17-year-old Rohingya who got separated from his family when his village was attacked and burnt by the military and local Buddhist mobs. Amidst the chaos, he fled his hometown and jumped onto a small boat packed with other families trying to escape, sailing into the ocean and finally reached Malaysia. In Arakan, Maung was an exceptionally brilliant student who spoke seven languages. He was about to sit for a big exam in high school that would allow him to enter higher education. In the blink of an eye, he lost his family, dreams and future that he had hoped for. When we met at the UNHCR office, Maung was no longer the confident person he used to be; his life tragedy had robbed him of his self-esteem. He was ill, homeless and lived the life of a beggar, moving from one place to another to find shelter. Maung told me he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and that he had been sleeping under a bridge. Despite my multiple attempts to track him after he left on that day, Maung never came back.

A year later, on August 25, 2017, the Myanmar military — infamously known as the Tatmadaw — launched a brutal crackdown against the Rohingya people, killing almost 7,000 and forcing 700,000 into neighbouring Bangladesh. The August 2017 exodus created the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, which to this day remains a ‘hell’ for the Rohingyas for they have never been considered for local integration nor for safe repatriation. An unknown number, perhaps several thousands, escaped to other countries like India, Thailand and Malaysia through dangerous land and sea routes. Needless to say, we heard of numerous heart-wrenching stories of boats capsizing, people drowning and children crossing borders alone without parents or family members.

Interestingly, some news headlines tried to downplay the severity of the ‘textbook example of ethnic cleansing’ by portraying the crisis as a retaliation against attacks initiated by a group of Rohingya militants. They chose to be blind to historical facts that the oppression and violence against the Rohingya began way back in 1948 since Burma’s independence. The world has not forgotten that thousands of Rohingyas were slaughtered in 1978 by the same perpetrator, and that the Myanmar Citizenship Law was enacted in 1982, officially rendering this ethnic minority stateless.

This strategy of portraying the Rohingya as responsible for their catastrophe is very much similar to how the western media enterprise today desperately attempts to paint the current tragedy in Gaza as a ‘justified’ retribution of the October 7 attack. Do we not remember that the systematic killing, torture, abuse and displacement of Palestinians started at least seven decades ago?

Because of the 2016–2017 genocide in Arakan, the world now commemorates the Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day on August 25 every year. While it is important to cherish this date to honour the dead and warn the international community that such a tragedy should never happen again, it is equally important that we show solidarity with our Rohingya brothers and sisters by supporting their advocacy work to hold the Myanmar military accountable for their crimes and uphold the Rohingyas’ rights to freedom and self-determination. Two global events deserve mention here, as they may prove critical to the future of the Rohingyas: first, the much-celebrated Bangladesh’s liberation from Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year autocracy on August 5, 2024; and, second, Malaysia’s upcoming role as the ASEAN chairman by early 2025.

We acknowledge that Bangladesh’s act of accepting the mass influx of Rohignya refugees in 2017 was extremely benevolent, especially when the country itself was struggling with widespread poverty and socio-economic problems. However, the Hasina-led government of Bangladesh was never serious about helping the Rohingyas or solving their problem long-term. Hasina was more focused on harvesting dividends — material and non-material — from the ordeals of the Rohingyas. In contrast, Bangladesh’s current government led by chief adviser Muhammad Yunus has not only announced that he will support the Rohingya refugees in his first policy address, but has initiated discussions with the UNHCR on the possibility of Rohingya’s safe and dignified repatriation. Moreover, Bangladesh recently expressed its wish to join the ASEAN — a request that if granted can have a bigger impact on the block’s role and policy in addressing the crisis in Myanmar.

On the other hand, as ASEAN chairmanship rotates annually, Malaysia is due for this role by 2025. As one of the five major hosts of Rohingya refugees worldwide, Malaysia has always been outspoken on the Rohingya crisis. But the non-interference principle of the ASEAN has often been used as an excuse to keep member states from pressuring Myanmar to remedy its unfair policies and brutal acts against its minorities. Recently, the Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged the ASEAN to speak up and hold Myanmar’s military leaders accountable for their human rights violations. In fact, Anwar — who became prime minister in 2022 — is one of the most vocal critics of Myanmar’s military.

While Malaysia has not been the best transit location for the Rohingyas for its lack of legal framework for refugees and asylum-seekers, recent developments under the new government are showing its renewed commitment and more serious efforts are being taken to ameliorate the suffering of the Rohingyas and other migrant communities. For instance, the Malaysian government is currently building temporary shelters for children of detained migrants and refugees to enable them to have a safer and more dignified life, accessing proper care and education. This was in response to the earlier outrage over the arrest of children along with their parents in horrendous detention facilities. While this may not be the ideal, long-term solution, such moves were absent during the previous administrations. In fact, prior Malaysian leaders had rarely shown real interest in the Rohingya cause. Some even made degrading remarks while describing the refugees and migrants in the country, implicitly portraying them as a threat to national security.

Today, efforts including the gradual reform of the police institution and diplomatic talks with the Philippines to discuss the situation in Myanmar are other signs that Malaysia is showing greater commitment than ever to the refugee cause in general, and the Rohingyas, in particular. Assuming the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025 will give Malaysia a much-needed opportunity to drive meaningful changes and prove that what prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has been vocalizing is not mere lip service.

Two years after the 2017 genocide, I had the privilege to visit Kutupalong — the world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar. Thanks to the Equity Initiative in Bangkok and the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC), the world’s largest NGO, I participated in a trip that allowed my colleagues and me to experience firsthand what it was like to roam within the camp vicinity and interact with genocide survivors. The conversations I had with a group of women and children there sent me a message of hope and resilience, despite the gloomy life in camp. The visit was short, but it was a life-changing experience that taught me to understand better the struggle and resistance of the Rohingya people.

Last month marked the seventh anniversary of Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day. Given other political crises elsewhere, the media has somewhat ‘overlooked’ the ongoing oppression in Myanmar’s Rakhine state while thousands of Rohingyas continue to bleed and die on a daily basis. As such, we should continue speaking about the Rohingyas, and not let the volatile global political landscape distract us from their plight. We should not allow more youth like Maung to have their dreams shattered and their future robbed by genocidal acts of a brutal regime.

As for the governments of Bangladesh and Malaysia, they are now in a critical position — they should seize this opportunity by taking a strong stand, uniting the ASEAN voice, and gathering international support to solve this humanitarian catastrophe, once and for all.

Raudah Yunus is a public health practitioner and researcher. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Medical College of Wisconsin, USA.​

 

[Saif]

Around 100 RMG units shut amid unrest

Around a hundred export-oriented garment factories remained closed amid unrest as a section of workers staged demonstrations through Ashulia-Gazipur industrial belts despite security deployment, sources said Monday. They said 85 readymade garment (RMG) factorie

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Repatriation not possible now; 2500 availed of resettlement opportunity: Adviser
UNB
Published :
Sep 09, 2024 22:42
Updated :
Sep 09, 2024 22:42

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Monday said there is still hope that the United States will take around 200,000 Rohingyas as part of a third-country resettlement plan with 20,000 Rohingyas per year.

"It is a very small number. The number is 2 lakh. We can try that. It is still at the trial stage. Around 200-400 are going while the total number is so far 2500," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday underscored the need for expediting third-country resettlement of the Rohingya people who have been living in Bangladesh.

The chief adviser made the call after he met officials of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) at his office in Dhaka.

The IOM chief of mission in Bangladesh Abdusattor Esoev gave an overview of the resettlement of the Rohingya to developed countries including in the United States.

Washington DC has reaffirmed its commitment to resettle thousands of Rohingyas in the United States, but the process hasn't been accelerated. The chief adviser asked the officials to fast-track the process.

"It should be the easiest of the process," he told the officials of IOM and the Bangladesh government.

The IOM Bangladesh chief said the resettlement of the Rohingya resumed in 2022 after a gap of 12 years, but only this year the process gathered some pace.

Responding to a question on Rohingya repatriation, the foreign affairs adviser said he personally believes that repatriation of the Rohingyas is not possible at this moment. "It could be possible to start if a kind of stability is restored there (Myanmar)."

He said Bangladesh needs the international community's support so that the Rohingyas can return to their place of origin safely.

Earlier, he said the government would prevent any fresh entry of the Rohingyas, noting that around 8,000 Rohingyas recently entered Bangladesh, fleeing armed conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

Earlier, interim government Chief Adviser Prof Yunus sought United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi's support for the "dignified and voluntary" return of more than one million Rohingya people, who live in camps in Bangladesh, to their homeland in Myanmar.

High Commissioner Grandi had a phone conversation with Chief Adviser Prof Yunus on Monday to congratulate him on his assumption of leadership of the interim government of Bangladesh.

The UNHCR chief requested the chief adviser to attend a meeting on the Rohingya crisis on the sidelines of the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

Grandi informed the chief adviser that he plans to visit Bangladesh in October this year.

Seven years ago, on 25 August 2017, some 700,000 Rohingya men, women and children were forced to flee Myanmar and seek protection in Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

Two Rohingyas shot to death at Cox’s Bazar camps in Bangladesh

Two Rohingya people were shot to death at separate camps, designated for living the persecuted Myanmar nationals, under Ukhia upazila in Cox’s Bazar early Wednesday...

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Two Rohingyas shot to death at Cox’s Bazar camps in Bangladesh
Our Correspondent . Cox’s Bazar 11 September, 2024, 15:11

Two Rohingya people were shot to death at separate camps, designated for living the persecuted Myanmar nationals, under Ukhia upazila in Cox’s Bazar early Wednesday.

The deceased people are Imam Hussain, 37, son of Abul Kalam of Block M-25 of Rohinga Camp number 20, and Rahmat Ullah, 25, son of Gani Mia of Block B-6 of Rohingya Camp number 4 in Kutupalang area under Ukhia Upazila.

Shamim Hossain, officer in charge of Ukhia police station, said that unidentified assailants shot them to death at their own camps early Sunday and managed to flee.

Referring to locals, he said, the duo was killed by their rivals over establishing supremacy in the camps.

OC Shamim said that they recovered the bodies and sent them to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination.​

 

[Saif]

Bullets from Myanmar hit Teknaf Land Port, activities suspended

Activities at Teknaf Land Port were suspended since 2:00pm on Wednesday, about half an hour after three bullets fired from Myanmar hit three places at a time in the port area...

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Bullets from Myanmar hit Teknaf Land Port, activities suspended
Our Correspondent . Cox’s Bazar 18 September, 2024, 17:15

View of Teknaf land port | UNB photo

Activities at Teknaf Land Port were suspended since 2:00pm on Wednesday, about half an hour after three bullets fired from Myanmar hit three places at a time in the port area.

Panic gripped the area when the bullets hit a window glass at the land port’s office, a cargo truck, and a coconut tree at about 1:30pm and the officials, staff and workers at the port began to run for safer places.

Firing from Myanmar to the land port in Bangladesh’s southeast region occurred when the army in neighbouring Myanmar was reportedly fighting with groups in Myanmar territory.

Officials said that they were not sure whether the army or groups fighting there fired the gunshots.

The bullets were fired from the eastern side, an official at the port said.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Adnan Chowdhury said that all activities at the port remained suspended following gunshots from Myanmar.

The activities at the port would resume after reviewing the situation, he said.

Due to the conflict in Myanmar, gunshots could be heard from the bordering areas of Teknaf and Ukhia on several occasions in the past several months.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh ramps up border vigilance as thousands of Rohingya flee Myanmar

The influx of refugees from Myanmar has mounted as fighting escalates between the troops of the ruling junta and the Arakan Army, the powerful ethnic militia that recruits from the Buddhist majority

en.prothomalo.com

Bangladesh ramps up border vigilance as thousands of Rohingya flee Myanmar
Arrivals have more than doubled from what the government estimated earlier this month, despite Bangladesh repeatedly saying it cannot accept more Rohingya refugees as resources are already stretched thin
Reuters
Dhaka
Published: 12 Sep 2024, 12: 24

A BGB member looks through a binocular near the Naf River along the Leda border of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar on 14 February 2024 File photo

Bangladesh has ramped up vigilance at its border with Myanmar, with at least 18,000 Rohingya Muslims crossing over in recent months to escape escalating violence in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state, officials in Dhaka said.

The influx of refugees from Myanmar has mounted as fighting escalates between the troops of the ruling junta and the Arakan Army, the powerful ethnic militia that recruits from the Buddhist majority.

“Thousands of Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh and many are waiting to cross. The situation is dire,” said a foreign ministry official, who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to talk to media.

Rohingya refugees make their way along a refugee camp during rainfall in Ukhia on 11 September 2024 AFP

The new arrivals add to more than one million Rohingya refugees already living in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar district after they fled a military-led crackdown in Myanmar in 2017. They have little hope of returning to Myanmar, where they are largely denied citizenship and other basic rights.

Arrivals have more than doubled from what the government estimated earlier this month, despite Bangladesh repeatedly saying it cannot accept more Rohingya refugees as resources are already stretched thin.

“The vigilance at the border has increased, but managing our 271 km (168 miles) border with Myanmar is challenging, especially without a security counterpart on the other side,” said another government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The official said many Rohingya were desperate and were finding ways to cross into Bangladesh.

The government was yet to make a decision on whether to register those who have entered recently and are living in refugee camps, said the foreign ministry official.

A Rohingya refugee shopkeeper waits for customers at the Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Ukhia on 9 September 2024 AFP

“If we decide to register them, it could open the floodgates, and that’s something we can’t afford,” he said. “But at the same time, how long can we ignore this issue? That’s the real question.”

The head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has called for a fast-tracked third-country resettlement of Rohingya as a long-term solution, but the foreign ministry official said progress on resettlement has been limited.

“Around 2,000 people have gone under the resettlement programme since it resumed in 2022 after a gap of 12 years,” he said, adding that the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland were among countries taking in refugees.​

 

[Saif]

Rohingyas detail worsening violence in Myanmar

Rohingya refugee Syed fled Myanmar for a second time last month, after he was forced to fight alongside the military that drove his family out of their homeland years earlier...

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Rohingyas detail worsening violence in Myanmar
Agence France-Presse . Cox’s Bazar 24 September, 2024, 00:13

Rohingya refugee Syed fled Myanmar for a second time last month, after he was forced to fight alongside the military that drove his family out of their homeland years earlier.

Syed, whose name has been changed to protect him from reprisals, is one of thousands of young men from the stateless and persecuted Muslim minority rounded up to wage a war not of their own making.

Their conscription into the ranks of junta-run Myanmar’s military has prompted revenge attacks against civilians and pushed thousands more into Bangladesh, already host to around a million Rohingya refugees.

‘The people there are suffering a lot. I saw that with my own eyes,’ Syed said, soon after his escape and return to the squalid Bangladeshi relief camp he has called home for the past seven years.

‘Some are starving, they are dying of hunger,’ the 23-year-old added. ‘Everyone else is busy trying to save their own lives.’

Syed said he was conscripted by a Rohingya armed group operating in the camps in June and sent to fight against the Arakan Army, a rebel group waging war against Myanmar’s junta to carve out its own autonomous homeland.

He and other Rohingya recruits were put to work as porters, digging ditches and fetching water for Myanmar troops as they bunkered in against advancing rebel troops.

‘They didn’t give us any training,’ he said. ‘The military stay in the police stations, they don’t go out.’

Sent on patrol to a Muslim village, Syed was able to give his captors the slip and cross back over into Bangladesh.

He is one of around 14,000 Rohingya to have made the crossing in recent months as the fighting near the border has escalated, according to figures given by the UN refugee agency to the Bangladeshi government.

Experts say that at least 2,000 Rohingya have been forcibly recruited from refugee camps in Bangldesh this year, along with many more Rohingya living in Myanmar who were also conscripted.

Those pressed into service in Bangladesh say they were forced to do so by armed groups, apparently in return for concessions by Myanmar’s junta that could allow them to return to their homelands.

Both the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation, the two armed groups operating in the camps, have denied conscripting refugees.

‘We had never forcefully recruited anyone for us or others,’ senior RSO leader Ko Ko Linn said.

The UN Human Rights Office said it had information that the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army had both committed serious abuses against the Rohingya during the conflict.

Other rights groups say that the press-ganging of Rohingya into service alongside Myanmar troops has fuelled retaliatory attacks by the Arakan Army.

In the worst documented instance, watchdog Fortify Rights said last month that the rebel group had killed more than 100 Rohingya men, women and children in a drone and mortar bombardment on the border.

The Arakan Army has repeatedly denied responsibility for the attack and accusations of targeting Rohingya civilians in general.

But many of the thousands of new refugees crossing into Bangladesh accuse the group of killings.

Mohammad Johar, 22, said that his brother-in-law was killed in a drone attack he blamed on the Arakan Army while the pair were fleeing the border town of Maungdaw earlier this month.

‘Dead bodies were lying everywhere, dead bodies were on the banks of the river,’ he said.

‘The Arakan Army is more powerful there. The Myanmar military can’t keep up with the Arakan Army. And they both bomb each other, but it’s the Muslims who are dying.’

Bangladesh has struggled for years to accommodate its immense population of refugees, most of whom arrived after a 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar which is the subject of an on-going UN genocide investigation.

Still reeling from the sudden overthrow of its previous government by a student-led revolution last month, Bangladesh says the new arrivals are not welcome.

‘We are sorry to say this, but it’s beyond our capacity to give shelter to anyone else,’ interim foreign minister Touhid Hossain said this month.

But after deadly attacks on some of the estimated 6,00,000 Rohingya still living in Myanmmar, the new arrivals said they had no choice but to seek safety across the border.

‘After seeing dead bodies, we were scared that more attacks were coming,’ 20-year-old Bibi Faiza said after crossing the border with her young daughter.

‘I don’t hear gunshots any more, and there is peace here.’​

 

[Saif]

Revisiting the Rohingya policy of Bangladesh

Bangladesh yet again faces a new exodus. At the global level, the Rohingya crisis is getting overshadowed by conflicts in Ukraine, and Gaza. Meanwhile, a vastly different Interim Government has taken over governance in Bangladesh. All these now demand a deep reflection on the Rohingya policy...

en.prothomalo.com

Revisiting the Rohingya policy of Bangladesh
Mohammad Sufiur Rahman
Updated: 23 Sep 2024, 11: 13

Rohingya influx from Myanmar Reuters

The Rohingya crisis lingers on even after seven years with no prospect of repatriation soon. Since the coup d'etat of February 2021, Myanmar Army's command has eroded significantly. There are new players at the Union level. In Rakhine, the Arakan Army has emerged as the dominant force and has taken an anti-Rohingya position.

Bangladesh yet again faces a new exodus. At the global level, the Rohingya crisis is getting overshadowed by conflicts in Ukraine, and Gaza. Meanwhile, a vastly different Interim Government has taken over governance in Bangladesh. All these now demand a deep reflection on the Rohingya policy pursued by the Awami League government.

As the Rogingya crisis unfolded in 2016-17, Bangladesh adopted a policy framework for Rohingya crisis management, comprising of sustainable return and general approach towards Myanmar. It had three major components-a) humanitarian assistance, b) address "root causes" in Rakhine Myanmar for sustainable return, and c) holding perpetrators accountable.

Given its principal focus on early repatriation, Bangladesh always had strong reservations on wage earning employment, self-employment, freedom of movement and the right to choose residence and naturalization provisions of the 1951 Refugee Convention. Such obligations for Bangladesh were politically, demographically and economically not viable.

Bangladesh thus settled with a nomenclature forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (FDMN), not refugees. In the camps with restricted access and opportunities, the Rohingya have been showing an increasing tendency to crimes. Unrestrained activities the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) has added to insecurity in the camps.

Myanmar has historically seen the Rohingya, an ethnicity with deep racial, linguistic and religious links with erstwhile Bengal, and perceived them as aliens. Myanmar continue to see the Rohingya through a prism of insecurity. Her policy and actions have been motivated by a desire to ensure demographic balance in the northern Rakhine and by long-defined national priority to "defend the western gate". Myanmar's perceived insecurity comes also from its western neighbor- Bangladesh.

By July 2024 in Rakhine, the Arakan Army (AA) has emerged as the de facto authority in the Mayu-Kaladan- Lemro region, the traditional abode of the Rohingya. The de facto controlling force, AA holds all levers in Rakhine and has the ultimate say on repatriation. Yet, the Tatmadaw and the NUG remain equally important stakeholders on repatriation and on citizenship for the Rohingya.

The AA leadership had sent signals to establish contact, that Bangladesh officially disregarded. AA cannot be expected to like Bangladesh handing over 700 fighters to Myanmar. Reported recruiting of Rohingya fighters in camps in Bangladesh by ARSA and RSO to fight beside the Tatrnadaw is another reason for AA taking an anti-Rohingya stance.

Importantly, with territorial hold over the state, the AA and the United League of Arakan (ULA) now have a historic opportunity to realise their Arakan dream. It is unclear at this stage whether they will seek to realise this as part of a truly federative structure within the Union of Myanmar or a quasi- autonomous region. While they seek to administer, they have an urgent task to arrange humanitarian supplies and stabilise Rakhine economically and reviving agriculture.

Besides, militarisation of almost all communities in Rakhine and Chin states is a source of instability in neighbouring Mizoram, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts and even some areas of Chittagong. Reemergence of ethnic conflicts recently in Manipur and Nagaland points to Indian vulnerability in the frontier areas and to its Kaladan multimodal project. China has direct stakes in Kyaukphyu port, and oil and gas pipelines to Yunnan. Meanwhile, the USA has signaled its keen interest in Myanmar.

The multiplicity of actors and their varied geo-strategic interests make things totally unpredictable in the areas bordering Bangladesh, Myanmar, India and China. Given the portends of regional instability, one cannot rule out Bangladesh being sucked into a vortex of military conflict. In 2017, the Myanmar Army and paramilitary forces did many things to draw Bangladesh into an armed conflict

As such, Bangladesh has to make a very hard task of creating a balanced approach to Rakhine and Myanmar. Bangladesh needs to revisit its outdated policy framework. As part of urgent review, Bangladesh ought to:

i. Engage all domestic stakeholders to develop a recalibrated Rohingya and Myanmar policy.

ii. Reflect seriously on what additional services that could be accorded to the Rohingya, such as access to employment and education as well as freedom of movement, with or without a change in the nomenclature to denote the Rohingya in Bangladesh.

iii. Ensure greater security measures in the camps and their neighbouring areas to keep control over the Rohingya armed groups.

iv. Consider some appropriate form of (indirect) engagement with AA/ ULA and discuss basic services, freedom of movement and citizenship for the Rohingya community, engage the NUG to secure a clear pathway towards citizenship of the Rohingya community.

V. Remain open to consideration of humanitarian access to Rakhine through Bangladesh; on economic stabilisation of the Rakhine state, Bangladesh may explore all options for economic interaction with the Chattogram region as well as for access for the produces of Rakhine to the outside world through an appropriate value chain linkage.

Given the changed ground realities and new refugee pressure, Bangladesh may engage international stakeholders on developing safe zones within Rakhine to stop fresh flow of Rohingya and to consider options of enhanced humanitarian access.

They may be asked to contribute to economic stabilisation of Rakhine and an array of livelihood support for the Rohingya returnees. Beyond retributive justice at ICC and ICJ, they should commence work on healing of trauma, reconciliatio: among the Muslim Rohingya and the Buddhist Rakhines.

In sum, Bangladesh requires to deploy a new brand of proactive and creative diplomacy to engage various stakeholders for better outcomes on the resolution of the Rohingya crisis and a mutually beneficial, multilayered relations with Myanmar.

* Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, former Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar and Senior Research Fellow, SIPG/North South University​

 

[Saif]

রোহিঙ্গা সংকট সমাধানে ড. ইউনূসের তিন প্রস্তাব

 

[Saif]

Dhaka urges global action on Rohingya crisis at commonwealth meeting

Urging the international community to come forward to resolve the long-pending Rohingya crisis, chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said if this crisis is not resolved, not only Bangladesh but the entire region will also fall into trouble...

www.newagebd.net

Dhaka urges global action on Rohingya crisis at commonwealth meeting
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . New York 25 September, 2024, 01:14

Professor Muhammad Yunus | UNB file photo

Urging the international community to come forward to resolve the long-pending Rohingya crisis, chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said if this crisis is not resolved, not only Bangladesh but the entire region will also fall into trouble.

‘We have to be careful...we must pay attention to this,’ he said while speaking at a high-level discussion about the Rohingya crisis on the sidelines of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday evening. Foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain, High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, ICC prosecutor Karim AA Khan and IOM director general Amy Pope, among others, spoke at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Yunus proposed rethinking the solution to the Rohingya crisis to the international community.

‘First of all, we want the UN Secretary General to organise a conference on the Rohingya crisis in the presence of all parties involved as soon as possible,’ he said.

Reviewing the overall situation of the Rohingya crisis, the chief adviser said a new and far-sighted solution should be proposed to resolve the crisis.

Secondly, he said, there is a need to revive the ‘Joint Response Plan’ programme conducted jointly by the United Nations and Bangladesh.

Since there is a lack of funds to spend on Rohingyas, the process of raising money should be strengthened with political decisions, Prof Yunus said.

In the third proposal, he said the international community should come forward with sincere support to ensure justice for the crimes of genocide committed against the Rohingya people.

To ensure long-term peace and security in Myanmar, justice for these Rohingyas, who were persecuted by Myanmar’s military junta, must be ensured, he said.

High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said he was honoured to participate in the discussion on Rohingya crisis led by Prof Yunus.

‘Like every year, the event was held but the presence of Dr Yunus and his vision made this discussion particularly important. We must continue our efforts to end discrimination, statelessness and forced displacement of the Rohingya people,’ he added.

IOM Director General Amy Pope said the Rohingya people should not be forgotten, so all should do more to resolve this crisis and continue the necessary support and long-term process of solution to this crisis.

The IOM chief said it is committed to doing everything possible to achieve this goal.

While participating in the high-level UNGA sidelines event on the Rohingya crisis, US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya announced nearly $199 million in new assistance for Rohingya refugees and communities hosting them.

Meanwhile, during the ongoing UN General Assembly session, some Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh sent a message to world leaders asking ‘Do not make us frustrated’.

They, in the video message, said the Rohingya community should not be forgotten.

Later, at a reception, chief advisor Muhammad Yunus has sought cooperation from foreign friends to build a new Bangladesh dreamt by youth folks.

‘Through the sacrifice of lives and indomitable leadership of the youth, revolutionary changes have taken place in Bangladesh. They sacrificed their lives to build a discrimination-free society and a prosperous country,’ he said.

Yunus said this at a reception hosted marking the 50th year of Bangladesh’s membership in the United Nations Tuesday evening.

The chief adviser said: ‘The sacrifice of young people has created a great opportunity for us.

We don’t want to miss this opportunity. The youth want to build a new Bangladesh through a drastic change in the existing state structure and institutions. We need all of your support to implement it.’

Pakistan prime minister Shahbaz Sharif, US Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asia Donald Lu and representatives of various countries attended the event.

On September 17 in 1974, Bangladesh became a full member of the United Nations.

Foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain, energy adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, permanent representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, principal coordinator (SDGs affairs) Lamiya Morshed, chief adviser’s special assistant Mahfuj Alam and chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam were present, among others.

Professor Yunus and photographer Shahidul Alam unveiled the covers of two books written on the events of the student-led uprising.

Recalling the sacrifice of the students, Yunus said the whole nation is united today.

The chief adviser said his government is working to put in place a new electoral system through institutional reforms.

Addressing the foreign friends, the Nobel laureate said the courage and determination the Bangladeshi youths showed has overwhelmed all.

Standing in front of bullets, the youths did not hesitate to accept disability, Prof Yunus said, adding ‘We want you (foreign friends) beside us in building democratic Bangladesh cherished by the youth’.

The chief adviser will address the UNGA session on September 27.

International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva has pledged support to Bangladesh’s reform initiatives, saying the Washington-based lender has sent a team to Dhaka to hold talks with the stakeholders over the matter.

The IMF managing director expressed her support at a meeting with the chief adviser at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday.

‘It is a different country. It is Bangladesh 2.0,’ Kristalina Georgieva told the chief adviser when he gave a short briefing on the student-led mass uprising which ousted the previous autocratic regime.

The IMF chief executive extended her support for the initiatives, saying the lender would fast-track financial support for the Bangladesh government.

She said she sent an IMF team ‘quickly’ to Bangladesh and it is in Dhaka at the moment. The team would place its report to the IMF management board next month, he added.

Georgieva said the IMF board could initiate a new lending programme for Bangladesh based on the report of the team, or it could also extend more lending under the existing support programme launched early last year.

Energy, power and transport adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan and eminent economist Debapriya Bhattacharya attended the meeting.

Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan told the IMF chief that the Bangladesh interim government took just a week to ‘dismantle the architecture of crimes’ in the power and energy sector.

Debapriya stressed the need for IMF support to bolster the country’s balance of payments.

He said the role of the IMF would be critical to stabilising exchange rates.

Meanwhile, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni meets the chief adviser on the sidelines of the annual session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday (local time).

During the meeting, Professor Yunus gave a brief outline of the student-led mass uprising which, he said, has created new opportunities for Bangladesh, pressing ‘the reset button’ for the entire nation.

Meloni said Italy would support the Prof Yunus-led interim government in its move to carry out vital reforms in key sectors.

The chief adviser urged the Italian leader to formalise migration from Bangladesh, paving the way of entry of more Bangladeshi workers in Italy through legal channels, which he said would cut risky illegal migration.

Meloni agreed, saying both nations should work together to stop irregular migration and conduct training for people planning to work in Italy.​

 

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Rohingya crisis: Foreign adviser urges UN Security Council to take decisive action

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has urged the UN Security Council to take decisive action in response to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh and the ongoing suffering of Myanmar's citizens amid conflict in Rakhine State

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Rohingya crisis: Foreign adviser urges UN Security Council to take decisive action

Md Touhid Hossain

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has urged the UN Security Council to take decisive action in response to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh and the ongoing suffering of Myanmar's citizens amid conflict in Rakhine State.

While addressing the UN Security Council Open Debate on "Leadership for Peace" on Thursday, he also shared Bangladesh's perspectives on fostering peace and stability.

The adviser noted that Bangladesh is currently hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas who fled their homes due to horrific atrocities.

He also said in the past month alone, more than 20,000 additional Rohingyas have crossed into Bangladesh as the conflict in Rakhine State has escalated.

"Unfortunately, our capacity is simply overstretched. This council can no longer remain indifferent to this question and let the civilians suffer," Touhid said.

He said the UN must prioritise political solutions in Myanmar and promote an inclusive and sustainable peace process.

He said the elected members shoulder responsibility to build consensus on critical issues before the council.

Stating that fostering regional cooperation is essential in reinforcing the council's efforts, he said the council needs to further empower regional entities, in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

"Cooperation with organisations like ASEAN, ECOWAS, and African Union, for example, needs to be deepened to address regional discord effectively and prevent their escalation," Touhid observed.

He said Bangladesh, led by Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, remains committed to contributing to the UN's collective endeavours for peace, including through robust participation in UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding.​

 

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Dhaka ready to work with int'l community for Rohingya repatriation: CA

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today said Bangladesh is ready to work with the international community to create an environment for a dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar

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Dhaka ready to work with int'l community for Rohingya repatriation: CA

Photo: PID

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today said Bangladesh is ready to work with the international community to create an environment for a dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.

"Looking at the evolving ground situation in Myanmar, Bangladesh is ready to work with the international community to create an environment for dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to their homeland," he said while addressing the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The chief adviser said seven years on, Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas on humanitarian ground, incurring significant social-economic-environmental costs.

The protracted crisis in Myanmar also poses growing risks with national and regional security implications for Bangladesh, both traditional and non-traditional security challenges, he said.

"We remain committed to supporting the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar in Bangladesh. We need continued support of the international community towards the Rohingyas in carrying out the humanitarian operations and their sustainable repatriation," Prof Yunus said.

He said equally important is to ensure justice for the grave human rights violations committed against the Rohingyas, through the ongoing accountability processes in the ICJ and the ICC.

"We recognise and appreciate the efforts of the Secretary General and the United Nations system in creating a conducive environment for Rohingyas so that they can lead a free and dignified life," he said.

The Nobel Laureate said it requires creating pathways for the Rohingyas to return to their ancestral home in Rakhine State, with safety and rights.​

 

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Myanmar junta bombs opposition-held town hours after talks offer

Myanmar’s junta carried out fresh air strikes on an opposition-held town Friday, hours after issuing an unprecedented invitation to its enemies for talks on the country’s civil war.

www.newagebd.net

Myanmar junta bombs opposition-held town hours after talks offer
Agence France-Presse . Yangon 28 September, 2024, 01:07

Myanmar’s junta carried out fresh air strikes on an opposition-held town Friday, hours after issuing an unprecedented invitation to its enemies for talks on the country’s civil war.

Thursday’s surprise call for discussions was likely a sop to main ally China and a nudge towards controversial fresh elections, analysts said, and two prominent armed groups swiftly dismissed it.

The offer came with the junta reeling from battlefield reverses to ethnic minority armed groups and pro-democracy ‘People’s Defence Forces’ that rose up to oppose the military’s seizure of power in 2021.

The groups have seized several lucrative border crossings and last month took Lashio, a city of 1,50,000 people — the biggest urban centre to fall to rebels since 1962.

The call was ‘the first time that the regime has expressed a willingness to have a dialogue with the post-coup resistance forces’, said Richard Horsey of the International Crisis Group.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has long spoken of ‘annihilating’ the groups, he pointed out.

Hours after the offer, military jets bombed Lashio, in northern Shan state, now in the hands of fighters from the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army.

‘I heard two explosions,’ a resident said. ‘I heard five people were killed and a lot of people were wounded.’

One Yangon-based diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said of the junta’s offer: ‘So far I haven’t seen the inclination towards serious reconciliation.’

AFP has contacted for comment the Ta’ang National Liberation Army and the Kachin Independence Army, ethnic armed groups that hold territory in the north. The MNDAA could not be reached.

The Karen National Union, which has fought for decades for autonomy along the Thai border, said talks were only possible if the military agreed to ‘common political objectives’.

That included the military staying out of politics, accepting a new, federal constitution, and being held accountable for ‘war crimes and crimes against humanity’, spokesman Padoh Saw Taw Nee said.

‘If they don’t agree with it, then nothing will happen... We will keep putting pressure on them politically, militarily,’ he said.

The military is highly unlikely to agree to such terms.

A spokesperson for the ‘Mandalay PDF’, which has seized territory in the hills around second city Mandalay, also dismissed the offer.

‘This invitation won’t make any changes to our way,’ said Osmond, who goes by a pseudonym.

‘We will keep doing what we have to do.’

But even if nothing comes of the invitation, just issuing it could still have value for the regime, said Horsey.

‘It would allow them to portray themselves — for example to China, which is pushing for a deal — as wanting peace, even while they continue with their campaign of indiscriminate airstrikes.’

China is a major ally and arms supplier to the isolated junta and its sprawling Belt and Road Initiative includes key projects in Myanmar.

Last month Beijing’s foreign minister said it supported the junta’s plan to hold fresh polls and return the conflict-torn country to a ‘democratic transition’.

‘China hopes that all relevant parties will stop fighting and hold talks,’ a foreign ministry spokesperson told a regular press briefing on Friday.

Independent analyst David Mathieson said that in addition to Beijing, the offer was likely aimed at neighbouring countries and some western diplomats who may see elections as a ‘vehicle to reduce violence and pursue a process of de-escalation’, despite their inevitable flaws.

The military, which justified its coup with unsubstantiated allegations of fraud in the 2020 elections won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, has long pledged to hold fresh polls when conditions permit.

It has since dissolved Suu Kyi’s popular National League for Democracy and introduced tough new rules governing political parties.

Census takers are due to start collecting data in early October in preparation for possible polls in 2025, but analysts say any vote would be a sham and would likely be targeted by the military’s opponents.

‘Hovering above all of this is the Myanmar military’s tried and tested divide and rule strategy,’ said Mathieson, adding it ‘may be soiled and strained but still effective’.​

 

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Rohingya youth shot dead in Cox's Bazar camp

A Rohingya youth was killed and five others injured in a gunfight between two Myanmar-based armed groups at a Ukhiya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar yesterday evening

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Rohingya youth shot dead in Cox's Bazar camp

A Rohingya youth was killed and five others injured in a gunfight between two Myanmar-based armed groups at a Ukhiya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar yesterday evening.

The incident took place in the area between Hakim Para No 14 and Jamtoli Camp No 15 of Palongkhali union of Ukhiya upazila, reports our Cox's Bazar staff correspondent quoting Additional Deputy Inspector General of police Aamir Zafar, commander of 8 Armed Police Battalion.

The deceased is Abdur Rahman, 19, son of Mohammad Abdullah of Block E-2 of Rohingya Camp 14 at Hakim Para.

Quoting locals, the additional DIG Amir Zafar said, Myanmar-based armed groups Arakan Rohingyas Salvation Army (ARSA) and Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) locked into a clash yesterday evening.

Both sides fired 20-25 rounds of bullets leaving six Rohingyas wounded. The criminals fled the scene when a team of APBn reached the spot.

Later, locals rescued the injured and took them to an MSF hospital in the Jamtali area, where the duty doctor declared one of them dead.

Later, the injured were shifted to another MSF Hospital in Kutupalong area for better treatment.

The APBn commander said the incident might have took place for establishing supremacy in the camp.

Police are conducting drives to identify and arrest those involved in the incident, he said.

The body of the deceased was recovered and sent to Cox's Bazar 250 Bed District Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.​

 

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Can’t wait indefinitely, says Dr Yunus seeking int’l solution to Rohingya crisis

Highlighting the importance of a quick and international solution to the Rohingya crisis through joint efforts, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday said the solution to the problem is in the hands of the international community, not Bangladesh alone.

en.prothomalo.com

Can’t wait indefinitely, says Dr Yunus seeking int’l solution to Rohingya crisis
UNB
Dhaka
Published: 04 Oct 2024, 21: 22

A joint press appearance of chief adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus with Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim at a hotel in Dhaka on 4 October, 2024.PID

Highlighting the importance of a quick and international solution to the Rohingya crisis through joint efforts, chief adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday said the solution to the problem is in the hands of the international community, not Bangladesh alone.

“We will keep on raising the issue. Malaysia will be supporting us in raising that. We can’t wait indefinitely. This is something we have to resolve as soon as possible,” he said while responding to a question from UNB during a joint press appearance with Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim at a hotel in Dhaka.

The Nobel Peace laureate said they have discussed the issue as this is also an issue for Malaysia with a smaller number of Rohingyas there.

“We need to find a solution to that problem. And we work together through Asean, through the Malaysian government and through the broader international community,” he said.

Malaysia is going to be the next chair of ASEAN from January 2025.

Prof Yunus highlighted two aspects of the Rohingya crisis – new children born on an average 32,000 every year over the last 7 years adding with the 1.2 million Rohingyas.

He said it is not the birthrate that concerns Bangladesh but it is about what happens in their life. “A whole new generation of young people is growing up. This is a generation of angry young people. They have no future.”

Prof Yunus said the worry for the whole world is that this is a ticking time-bomb that can explode in any way.

He said new entries are also happening every day with a constant flow. “This is a concern I shared with the prime minister of Malaysia. He is fully supportive and understands our position.”

Prof Yunus said Malaysia will be supporting Bangladesh through Asean and international forums to find an international solution to this problem.

Seven years ago, on 25 August, 2017, some 700,000 Rohingya men, women and children were forced to flee Myanmar and seek protection in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.

In 2024, humanitarian agencies appealed for $852 million to assist 1.35 million people, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshis in surrounding communities. This appeal remains inadequately funded, according to UNHCR.

Chief adviser Prof Yunus and the Malaysian Prime Minister had a brief one-on-one meeting at the Hazrat Shahjalal Airport before their bilateral talks at Hotel InterContinental.​

 

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Indonesia hosts international meeting on Myanmar with UN, junta rivals, sources say

Indonesia is hosting an international meeting involving the United Nations and opponents of Myanmar's ruling military

en.prothomalo.com

Indonesia hosts international meeting on Myanmar with UN, junta rivals, sources say
Reuters
Published: 04 Oct 2024, 16: 57

Soldiers stand next to military vehicles as people gather to protest against the military coup, in Yangon, Myanmar, on 15 February, 2021 Reuters

Indonesia is hosting an international meeting involving the United Nations and opponents of Myanmar's ruling military, sources with knowledge of the talks said on Friday, as a regional effort to end a civil war fails to gain traction.

Myanmar is embroiled in a bloody crisis stemming from a crackdown on pro-democracy protests that followed a 2021 coup by its military, which is battling on multiple fronts to contain a nationwide rebellion by a movement allied with several ethnic minority armies.

The United Nations, the regional bloc ASEAN, the European Union and Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government (NUG) would be at the talks, according to a source with knowledge of the two-day meeting.

A diplomatic source confirmed the NUG was in Indonesia for talks, while a third source said the United Nations was at a special meeting on Myanmar.

A fourth source said a meeting was being held in Indonesia involving "stakeholders" in the Myanmar crisis.

The sources did not provide details on the other attendees, or proposals being discussed.

Asked about the meeting, Indonesian foreign ministry spokesperson Roy Soemirat said there were plans for talks between ASEAN special envoys on the Myanmar crisis, but he gave no details of attendees or a timeframe for the talks.

Myanmar's military government and the delegations of the U.N. and EU in both Myanmar and Indonesia did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A spokesperson for the NUG declined to give comment or confirm the meeting was taking place.

Dialogue elusive

The meeting comes just days away from a summit in Laos of leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), whose peace plan for Myanmar, drawn up three years ago, has so far failed despite repeated calls for dialogue.

The bloc, currently chaired by Laos, has expressed openness to other avenues to support its plan, including mediation from neighbouring countries and organisations outside of ASEAN.

Reuters reported last month that a think-tank funded by the Indian government had invited anti-junta groups involved in the rebellion to a New Delhi seminar next month.

Last year, former ASEAN chair Indonesia said it had received positive signals about preliminary dialogue from major parties in the conflict, but there has been no signs of advancement yet.

The junta has refused to engage in talks with its rivals, calling them terrorists bent on destroying the country.

Last month it urged its armed opponents to halt their rebellion and join the political fold for an election next year, a call that was rejected by several groups, and dismissed by some analysts as a hollow gesture.

It is not clear if any anti-junta groups have agreed to run in the election, which has already been widely dismissed as sham.

The outcome is unlikely to be recognised by Western countries, with dozens of parties disbanded for not registering to run, including the dominant National League for Democracy, whose government the generals toppled in the coup.​

 

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Dhaka expresses deep concern to Myanmar over new Rohingya influx

Dhaka has expressed deep concern over the new arrivals of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals in recent times due to armed conflicts in Myanmar particularly in Rakhine state. The concern was expressed when Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh U Kyaw Soe Moe paid a courtesy call on Foreign Secre

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Dhaka expresses deep concern to Myanmar over new Rohingya influx
BSS
Published :
Oct 07, 2024 11:49
Updated :
Oct 07, 2024 11:49

Dhaka has expressed deep concern over the new arrivals of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals in recent times due to armed conflicts in Myanmar particularly in Rakhine state.

The concern was expressed when Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh U Kyaw Soe Moe paid a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, said a press release.

During the meeting, the foreign secretary urged Myanmar to take all measures to contain armed conflict near the bordering areas of Bangladesh and the infiltration of civilian and armed personnel from Rakhine into Bangladesh.

He stressed the need for early, voluntary, and sustainable repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to their homeland.

In response, the Myanmar ambassador assured that repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals in Myanmar will be commenced as soon as peace and order in Rakhine state are restored.

Both sides acknowledged the huge potentials of cooperation between the two countries in the areas like trade, shipping connectivity, energy, and agriculture.

Issues of other bilateral components between the two countries were discussed at the meeting.

Ambassador Moe congratulated the Foreign Secretary for assuming the new position and wished that during his tenure the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Myanmar will be further strengthened.

Foreign Secretary also congratulated him on his appointment as the ambassador.​

 

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Myanmar peace efforts ‘substantially inadequate’

Southeast Asian leaders yesterday condemned Myanmar’s efforts to implement a plan to end the country’s civil war as “substantially inadequate”, according to a draft summit statement seen by AFP.

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Myanmar peace efforts ‘substantially inadequate’
Say Asean leaders

Southeast Asian leaders yesterday condemned Myanmar's efforts to implement a plan to end the country's civil war as "substantially inadequate", according to a draft summit statement seen by AFP.

Myanmar's junta agreed on the five-point plan with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) weeks after seizing power in February 2021 but has still pushed ahead with a bloody crackdown on dissent.

Asean has led so far fruitless diplomatic efforts to end the conflict that has killed thousands, forced millions from their homes and driven many to seek a better future abroad.

After discussing the conflict at their annual summit, held this year in Vientiane, the leaders of the bloc demanded the junta take steps to implement the "five-point consensus", saying progress so far had been "substantially inadequate".

Asean leaders urged "all stakeholders and parties in Myanmar... to de-escalate violence and stop targeted attacks on civilians and public facilities", according to the statement.​

 

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Foreign ministry protests Myanmar's killing of Bangladeshi fisherman

Tells neighbouring country to refrain from any further provocations

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Foreign ministry protests Myanmar's killing of Bangladeshi fisherman
Tells neighbouring country to refrain from any further provocations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today lodged a protest with the Government of Myanmar over the killing of a Bangladeshi fisherman by the Myanmar Navy in the Bay of Bengal near St Martin's Island on Wednesday.

The victim, Md Usman, 60, lived in Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar.

In a diplomatic note sent to the Embassy of Myanmar in Dhaka, Bangladesh expressed deep concern over the tragic incident, further compounded by the abduction of 58 Bangladeshi fishermen and six fishing boats, including the boat of the victim while they were fishing near St Martin's Island, the foreign ministry said in a press release. The fishermen, along with the boats, were eventually released yesterday in two phases following contact between the Bangladesh Coast Guard and the Myanmar Navy.

The Government of Bangladesh urges Myanmar to take immediate steps to prevent the recurrence of such unwarranted actions, the press release said.

The foreign ministry reminded Myanmar to fully respect the integrity of Bangladesh's territorial waters and refrain from any further provocations.​

 

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Dhaka should move world forum to resolve issues with Myanmar

THE Myanmar navy on October 9 shot into Bangladesh fishing boats, leaving one fisher, an inhabitant of Shah Pari Island at Teknaf, dead and two of his fellows wounded, when they...

www.newagebd.net

Dhaka should move world forum to resolve issues with Myanmar
12 October, 2024, 00:00

THE Myanmar navy on October 9 shot into Bangladesh fishing boats, leaving one fisher, an inhabitant of Shah Pari Island at Teknaf, dead and two of his fellows wounded, when they were fishing inside the Bangladesh territory in the Bay of Bengal near St Martins Island. Myanmar’s navy then forced six boats, with 57 fishers and the deceased on board, into the Myanmar territory. The Myanmar navy, however, returned the fishers, the body of the deceased and the boats to the Bangladesh Coast Guard on October 10. The foreign affairs ministry is reported to have urged Myanmar to take steps to prevent the recurrence of such unwarranted action. Such a step of the ministry does not, however, appear adequate as there have been occasions when Myanmar has violated Bangladesh’s territory. The incident at hand appears to be trailing a series of such happenings. Besides, as New Age reported on October 11, the Arakan Army, an ethno-nationalist armed organisation based in Rakhine State of Myanmar, on October 7 abducted five Bangladesh fishers and they were handed over to the Border Guard Bangladesh the next day. A Bangladesh fisher is also reported to have died after being shot by the Arakan Army in late May when he was fishing in the river Naf.

The incidents at hand suggest that Bangladesh authorities need to shore up issues on two fronts — taking steps so that Myanmar does not violate the Bangladesh territory and taking measures to keep the sea safe for fishers. Gunshots from inside Myanmar into Bangladesh hit the Teknaf land port office on September 18, forcing a suspension of activities at the land port. Myanmar in September 2021 fired three mortar shells inside the Bangladesh territory in the Tambru border in Bandarban, leaving a young man dead and six others wounded. Myanmar fired two mortar shells 120 metres inside Bangladesh earlier that month. It also fired mortar shells inside Bangladesh twice in August 2021. All that Myanmar does appears to be an effort to create a fearful situation in its own territory and to jeopardise any effort for the repatriation of the Rohingyas, way more than a million of them now sheltered in camps in Bangladesh, who have fled violence in Myanmar since the late 1970s. The largest Rohingya influx took place in 2017 when about a million Rohingyas entered Bangladesh. In the latest incident in September, at least 18,000 Rohingyas took refuge in Bangladesh. Protests of Bangladesh authorities at such violation of the Bangladesh territory earlier have failed to work. Bilateral and multilateral efforts have also failed to resolve issues of the Rohingya repatriation or the violation of Bangladesh territory.

The military-run Myanmar appears to be violating the international law by firing and shelling inside Bangladesh both on land and at sea. A peaceful means should be pursued in the resolution of the issue. Yet, Bangladesh authorities should take it up with the United Nations and should step up diplomatic efforts, regionally and internationally, to reach a resolution.​

 

[Saif]

Prof Yunus for creating ‘safe zone guaranteed by UN’ in Rakhine

Chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday called for creating a ‘safe zone guaranteed by the UN’ for the displaced people in Rakhine and finding ways to support them...

www.newagebd.net

Prof Yunus for creating ‘safe zone guaranteed by UN’ in Rakhine
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka 14 October, 2024, 17:09

Thomas Andrews, the special rapporteur of the United Nations on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, calls on chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the latter’s Tejgaon office in the capital on Monday. | PID photo

Chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday called for creating a ‘safe zone guaranteed by the UN’ for the displaced people in Rakhine and finding ways to support them.

Yunus made the call when Thomas Andrews, the special rapporteur of the UN on the situation of Human Rights in Myanmar, called on him at his Tejgaon office.

The special rapporteur appreciated the chief adviser for his three-point proposals on the Rohingya crisis, which were floated on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York last month.

He said that the violence in Rakhine had created an ‘enormous crisis’ in the state, and humanitarian aid was urgently needed for the displaced and starving people, including that of Rohingyas.

The UN representative said that at least 3.1 million people had been displaced in Myanmar, including hundreds of thousands in Rakhine state, where insurgent groups had been fighting against the Myanmar military for years.

‘In recent weeks some 30,000 Rohingyas have fled their homes in Rakhine and entered Bangladesh, which is already hosting more than a million Rohingya people in camps in the country’s south-eastern Cox’s Bazar border district,’ he noted.

Professor Yunus said that creating a ‘safe zone guaranteed by the UN’ for the displaced people in Rakhine would be the best thing to get aid to them.

He added that it could be a ‘good beginning’ to resolve the crisis in Rakhine and that it could prevent thousands of new refugees from entering Bangladesh.

The chief adviser also suggested talks with the international community, including ASEAN, over the violence and displaced people in Rakhine.

He sought support from the special rapporteur to expedite the resettlement of thousands of Rohingya refugees to a third country.

The International Criminal Court investigations into the atrocities committed against the Rohingya in 2017 and the recent student-led revolution in Bangladesh were also discussed during the meeting.​

 

[Saif]

Myanmar Conflict: Teknaf rocked by sound of blasts

Sounds of explosions of mortar shells and bombs from across the Myanmar border amid fighting between Junta troops and armed insurgents of the Arakan Army rocked Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar from Monday night till early yesterday.

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Myanmar Conflict: Teknaf rocked by sound of blasts

Sounds of explosions of mortar shells and bombs from across the Myanmar border amid fighting between Junta troops and armed insurgents of the Arakan Army rocked Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar from Monday night till early yesterday.

The explosions were heard from Maungdaw township in Myanmar's Rakhine state on the other side of the border, located southeast of Jaliapara of Teknaf Municipality across the Naf River.

Fierce fighting between Junta forces and Arakan army has been going on for months in Rakhine state, predominantly populated by the Muslim ethnic groups of Myanmar, including Rohingyas.

"Our houses trembled with the frequent explosion of bombs on the Myanmar side. Myanmar Junta's jets are likely striking the areas occupied by Arakan army at present," said Anowar Faisal, a resident of Noyapara village along Teknaf border.

BGB and Bangladesh Coast Guard personnel have beefed up patrolling on the river and land border in Teknaf, said UNO Adnan Chowdhury.​

 

[Saif]

Armed group claims capture of another town

Fighters from a Myanmar ethnic armed group have seized another town along a strategic highway to China, the group and a resident said, in the latest setback for the embattled junta.

www.thedailystar.net

MYANMAR CONFLICT
Armed group claims capture of another town

Fighters from a Myanmar ethnic armed group have seized another town along a strategic highway to China, the group and a resident said, in the latest setback for the embattled junta.

Northern Shan state has been rocked with fighting since the summer when an alliance of ethnic armed groups renewed an offensive against the military along the highway to China's Yunnan province.

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) captured the last remaining military base in the town of Hsipaw on Sunday after weeks of fighting, a spokesperson for the group told AFP Monday. "We took all army bases and there is no more Myanmar army in the town," Lway Yay Oo said.

Hsipaw is normally home to around 20,000 people and sits on a highway from Myanmar's second city Mandalay to the China border, along which hundreds of millions of dollars of trade travels annually.

A Hsipaw resident who did not want to be named told AFP Tuesday that TNLA fighters had taken control of the town on Sunday.​

 

[Saif]

Dhaka expresses deep concern over fresh influx of 40,000 Rohingyas

Foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the recent influx of more than 40,000 Rohnigyas into Bangladesh fleeing conflict in the...

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Dhaka expresses deep concern over fresh influx of 40,000 Rohingyas
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka 16 October, 2024, 16:09

The Ambassador of Myanmar to Bangladesh, U Kyaw Soe Moe, paid a maiden call on the Foreign Adviser of Bangladesh, Md Touhid Hossain at latter’s office on Wednesday. | Press release

Foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the recent influx of more than 40,000 Rohnigyas into Bangladesh fleeing conflict in the Myanmar’s bordering states.

He raised the concern while Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh U Kyaw Soe Moe paid a maiden call on him at the foreign ministry here, an official press release said.

During the talks, the foreign adviser emphasized the urgency of a safe and sustainable repatriation process for the displaced Rohingya population, highlighting the importance of peace and stability in Myanmar.

‘Regional stability is crucial for both the nations,’ he said, calling for increased efforts to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The foreign adviser also expressed the hope that the Myanmar government and key stakeholders would engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the situation.

He also raised concern over the security threats at the border, including a rise in human trafficking linked to the influx of displaced people.

Ambassador Moe acknowledged the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, explaining that repatriation efforts have been delayed due to a ceasefire breakdown by the Arakan Army in November 2023.

The envoy conveyed his government’s gratitude to Bangladesh for providing shelter, food, and medical support to Myanmar troops, as well as facilitating their repatriation after they had recently crossed into Bangladesh amidst the ongoing conflict in Rakhine.

The foreign adviser also underscored the need for both nations to prioritize resolving outstanding bilateral issues, stressing Bangladesh’s commitment to enhancing regional cooperation with Southeast Asian countries, where Myanmar serves as a key gateway.

He urged Myanmar’s support for Bangladesh’s bid to gain ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner status.

Besides, both sides discussed bolstering bilateral trade, increasing people-to-people contact, and resuming direct flights between Dhaka and Yangon.

They also stressed the importance on finalizing the coastal shipping agreement currently under negotiation between the two countries.​

 

[Saif]

Five shot during clash at Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar

Five people, including a local resident, were shot during a clash between two groups at a Rohingya camp in Ukhiya of Cox's Bazar yesterday

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Five shot during clash at Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar

A Rohingya camp. File photo

Five people, including a local resident, were shot during a clash between two groups at a Rohingya camp in Ukhiya of Cox's Bazar yesterday.

Gunfire erupted throughout the day in camps 14 and 15, resulting in at least 10 people sustaining injuries, said Amir Jafar, commander of APBn-8 (additional DIG).

The injured are Mohammad Belal, 39, Omar Faruk, 30, Mohammad Yunus, 25, Abdullah, 18, and Hamida, 50.

The APBn official said the clash, driven by disputes, led to five people being shot.

The injured are currently receiving treatment at the MSF Hospital in Kutupalong, Ukhiya.

The identity of those responsible remains unknown.

Multiple sources said ARSA has been attempting to reorganise since August 5, frequently clashing with RSO for control over the camps.

The clash, which began yesterday morning, saw both sides using heavy weapons, causing panic among Rohingyas and locals alike, said witnesses.

M Gafur Uddin, chairman of Palangkhali Union Parishad, said many are avoiding leaving their homes. They have informed the authorities about the ongoing violence, he added.​

 

[Saif]

Myanmar armed group takes over rare earth mining hub

An armed group fighting Myanmar’s ruling military said it has taken control of a mining hub that is a major supplier of rare earth oxides to China, likely disrupting shipments of elements used in clean energy and other technologies.

www.thedailystar.net

Myanmar armed group takes over rare earth mining hub

An armed group fighting Myanmar's ruling military said it has taken control of a mining hub that is a major supplier of rare earth oxides to China, likely disrupting shipments of elements used in clean energy and other technologies.

Rare earth mining in Myanmar is concentrated in Kachin state around the towns of Panwa and Chipwe, adjacent to southwestern China's Yunnan province.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) took control of Panwa on Oct. 19, spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu told Reuters on Tuesday. It had previously captured Chipwe, according to local Myanmar media. Reuters was not able to independently verify the status of both towns.

The KIA is focused on managing the town of Panwa and has no current plans for rare earths or other economic issues, Naw Bu said.

He did not respond when asked whether the KIA is open to working with China on rare earths.

Previously, rare earth mining areas in Kachin state were under the control of militia group NDA-K, which is allied with Myanmar's junta government and welcomed payments from Chinese companies looking to establish mines.

Last year, Myanmar supplied China with about 50,000 metric tons of rare earth oxides (REOs) from ion-adsorption clays (IACs), eclipsing China's domestic IAC mining quota of 19,000 tons and making it the world's top exporter of heavy REOs, according to broker Ord Minnett.

"Rebel control of these mining sites could potentially disrupt rare earth concentrate shipments into China, which have declined for four months straight owing to the monsoon season and other challenges," research firm Adamas Intelligence said in a note on Monday.

China is the world's biggest consumer and importer of rare earth ores and compounds, which it uses to produce refined rare earth and magnets, industries it dominates.

Last month, China halted rare earth imports from Myanmar and suspended exports of ammonium sulphate used to leach rare earths there due to the conflict, said Ord Minnett analyst Matthew Hope.

"I expect the KIA plans to resume the REO business provided China is prepared to accept the exports and supply the technicians and ammonium sulphate. But I reckon it will expect payments before letting the companies do so," Hope said.

"Once the conflict passes, we expect financial deals with Chinese miners will be renegotiated, likely delaying restarts until early-2025," he said, adding that prices for REOs used in magnets are likely to rise as supply tightens.​

 

[Saif]

WFP's Rohingya response receives major funding boost from the US

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a substantial new contribution from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance to support its humanitarian response to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh.

en.prothomalo.com

WFP's Rohingya response receives major funding boost from the US
Prothom Alo English Desk
Dhaka
Published: 24 Oct 2024, 13: 44

A Rohingya woman leaves a WFP e-voucher outlet after purchasing food for her family in Cox’s Bazar. Since August, all Rohingya in the Cox’s Bazar camps have received their full food assistance, amounting to USD 12.50 per person per month. Courtesy of WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a substantial new contribution from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance to support its humanitarian response to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, stated a press release.

Valued at USD 121 million, the latest US contribution includes both in-kind and financial support for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh. The funds will be used to provide lifesaving food and nutrition assistance, and support resilience-building and disaster risk reduction in the camps. Children and pregnant and breastfeeding women in host communities will also receive assistance to prevent and treat malnutrition.

The US funding will additionally enable WFP to provide immediate food needs during emergencies (hot meals and fortified biscuits) for Rohingya families affected by sudden crises such as cyclones, floods, landslides, and fire incidents.

“The United States continues to lead the way in funding this crucial humanitarian response for more than 1 million Rohingya refugees. Our commitment remains unwavering. Their needs, along with those of their generous host communities, should remain a priority for the international community,” said Reed Aeschliman, USAID mission director in Bangladesh.

Now entering the eighth year of the crisis, the Rohingya population in Bangladesh remains in a precarious situation, facing movement restrictions, a lack of job opportunities, and increasing security threats.

In 2023, reduced funding forced WFP to cut food rations from USD 12 to USD 10, and then to USD 8. Monitoring showed a sharp decline in food consumption among Rohingya families in the camps, with global acute malnutrition (GAM) rising to 15.1 per cent, above the 15 per cent emergency threshold per WHO classification, marking the worst level since the 2017 influx.

The US contributions played a pivotal role in helping WFP restore food rations in Cox’s Bazar. Beginning in early 2024, WFP was able to increase the ration and, by August, restore the full amount to USD 12.50 per person per month.

For the first time, fortified rice was added to the assistance package. However, to sustain the full ration and continue operations into next year, WFP urgently requires nearly USD 80 million in additional funding.

“We are deeply grateful to the United States for their longstanding and unwavering support to the Rohingya population. I hope other humanitarian and development partners will follow their example. Only by working together can we meet the basic needs of Rohingya families until they can safely be repatriated to Myanmar,” said Dom Scalpelli, WFP country director in Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

UN proposal for a ‘safe zone’

THE war and conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, Palestine and Israel, and others —Bangladesh’s own political situation for the last couple of months, as it appears — turned the Rohingya refugee crisis a ‘less important’ concern. But the situation of the Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar is dire. On the...

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UN proposal for a ‘safe zone’
Ishrat Zakia Sultana and Mohammad Habib Ullah 29 October, 2024, 00:00

Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. | Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

THE war and conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, Palestine and Israel, and others —Bangladesh’s own political situation for the last couple of months, as it appears — turned the Rohingya refugee crisis a ‘less important’ concern. But the situation of the Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar is dire. On the one hand, the number of Rohingya has been increasing. On the other hand, none of the three conventional solutions — repatriation, resettlement, and reintegration — has been found useful until now. The chief advisor recently termed the Rohingya crisis a ‘time bomb’. Has there been any effective steps taken to neutralise the time bomb safely?

Although in 2022–2023 some forms of dialogue and visits took place between Bangladesh and Myanmar to initiate the ‘Chinese model’ of Rohingya repatriation, it did not yield any result. Indeed, internal conflicts in Myanmar are one of the key reasons. The ongoing conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army has led to violence, mass displacement, and human rights abuses against the Rohingya population. The situation for the Rohingya in the northern Rakhine State of Myanmar remains dire and highly volatile. How long such violence and killings will continue is uncertain. But would it be wise for Bangladesh to wait for this conflict to end so it could start talking about the Rohingya crisis, or should it take the necessary initiative proactively?

In 2017, Bangladesh raised a proposal for creating an UN-supervised ‘safe zone’ for the Rohingya in the Northern Rakhine, but the proposal never moved forward because of the pressure of India. Now that the domestic political climate in Bangladesh has changed, this is perhaps the right time to take this idea forward. The chief advisor has already raised the issue in his recent meeting with the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar. However, the establishment of a safe space is beyond the control of Bangladesh. The key players in this negotiation are China, India, and Myanmar. Most importantly, the West as well as the UN Security Council must endorse the idea of a safe space. Can Bangladeshi orthodoxy and fragile diplomacy effectively negotiate and convince all parties to support the UN-backed safe zone idea?

This safe zone would aim to provide protection and humanitarian aid to the Rohingyas. Hence, it needs to be demilitarised. Creating a safe zone for the Rohingya in northern Rakhine state involves establishing a secured area where the Rohingyas can live without fear of violence and persecution — a life with safety, dignity, and rights for the Rohingya population.

Since the safe zone is located within Myanmar, along with demilitarisation, attention should be given to establishing an UN-authorised international stabilisation force. Humanitarian organisations access to the zone is necessary for supplying necessary aid, including food, medical care, etc., guaranteeing fundamental human rights, including the right to life, freedom from torture, and personal security, and most importantly, enabling a legal process to grant citizenship or legal status, ensuring freedom of movement and access to education, health care, and employment.

Creating a safe zone for the Rohingya within Myanmar, however, is not free from challenges and obstacles. The Myanmar government has been historically unwilling to create conditions conducive to the safe return of the Rohingya. Bangladesh needs to strategize how, with the support of the superpowers, this resistance can be removed. There are geostrategic and geopolitical concerns that include the Siliguri Corridor (Chicken Neck), China’s renaming of 30 places of northeastern India, China’s territorial claim on Tibbet and Taiwan, etc. heavily shape the patterns of regional cooperation on the Rohingya issue. Moreover, the diplomatic efforts of Bangladesh have always been ineffective on the Rohingya issue. Can Bangladesh utilise its changed political regime to intervene and negotiate on some of the above issues? Establishing and maintaining a safe zone involves complex logistics and security challenges. It requires a well-coordinated international effort to deploy peacekeeping forces, build infrastructure, and provide continuous support to the inhabitants. Will UNHCR take responsibility for building this infrastructure?

Implementing a safe zone for the Rohingya in Northern Rakhine State requires careful planning, diplomacy, and coordination among multiple stakeholders. Leverage support from regional powers like China can significantly influence Myanmar’s decision to join the conversation with Bangladesh. Bangladesh never actively utilised the regional bodies to solve the Rohingya crisis. Therefore, Bangladesh should explore the regional platforms such as ASEAN, OIC, and SAARC to advocate for the protection of the Rohingya and the establishment of a safe zone.

The world has already witnessed that Russia and China give veto in the UN when it comes to the Rohingya issue, and the USA gives veto when it comes to the issue of the Palestinians. Yet, it is Bangladesh that needs to convince all the big powers—the USA, Russia, and China — as Bangladesh has been strengthening bilateral relationships with these countries through trade, ‘man’power supply, etc. At the same time, Bangladesh should also work through the UN General Assembly and Security Council to build a consensus and secure a resolution supporting the creation of a safe zone. In addition, collaborating with international human rights organisations to raise awareness in favour of the safe zone and pressure Myanmar for action is necessary for Bangladesh.

Learning from successful regional interventions, such as the African Union’s peacekeeping missions, can also be helpful to move ahead with the idea of a safe zone for the Rohingya in Myanmar. Until the safe zone project begins, the ongoing resettlement may seem like a good option for the Rohingya, which has already been emphasised by the interim government of Bangladesh. The huge acceptability of the chief advisor of the interim government of the country can be an asset to mobilise positive support from the US, Canada, and other countries that support the current political regime of Bangladesh and, to some extent, support the resettlement process.

However, we must remember that resettlement cannot be a logical response to the brutal and naked genocide committed against the Rohingya. Therefore, lobbying with ICJ should be a high priority. Last year, Myanmar requested an extension of the time limit to submit its report, and this year it is scheduled to send its counterarguments in response to Gambia’s argument by December 16, 2024. Ensuring a just resolution of the Rohingya genocide case at the ICJ requires fierce advocacy and lobbying from Bangladesh.

Arranging resettlement to a third country and establishing a safe zone within Myanmar are possible ways out of the Rohingya crisis, and Bangladesh must pursue both options simultaneously. By addressing the security, legal, and humanitarian needs of the Rohingya, a safe zone can provide a secure environment for their rehabilitation and pave the way for a more stable and peaceful future in the region.

Dr Ishrat Zakia Sultana is a faculty member of North South University, and Dr Mohammad Habib Ullah is general secretary of the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation, USA.​

 

[Saif]

UK, EU, Canada unveil new sanctions on Myanmar

The EU, UK, and Canada on Tuesday announced fresh sanctions targeting the Myanmar junta’s access to ‘military materiel, equipment and funds’...

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UK, EU, Canada unveil new sanctions on Myanmar
Agence France-Presse . London 30 October, 2024, 00:02

The EU, UK, and Canada on Tuesday announced fresh sanctions targeting the Myanmar junta’s access to ‘military materiel, equipment and funds’.

The new curbs, against entities supplying aviation fuel and equipment to Myanmar’s military, were aimed at constraining its ‘ability to conduct airstrikes on civilians’, according to Britain.

It said the month of August saw the highest number of airstrikes on record by the Myanmar military, killing dozens of civilians and amounting to ‘gross human rights violations’.

The sanctions — the latest by Western countries since a February 2021 military coup ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government — target six entities involved in providing aviation fuel or restricted goods to the junta.

They bolster several previous rounds of curbs against suppliers of aviation fuel to the military and arms dealers in 2023.

‘The human rights violations taking place across Myanmar, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure, by the Myanmar military is unacceptable and the impact on innocent civilians is intolerable,’ junior UK foreign minister Catherine West said.

‘That is why today the UK is announcing fresh sanctions targeting the suppliers of equipment and aviation fuel to the Myanmar military.

‘Alongside the EU and Canada, we are today further constraining the military’s access to funds, equipment and resources.’

West added the UK remained ‘steadfast in our support for the Myanmar people and their aspirations for a peaceful and democratic future’.

The UK’s Foreign Office in London said Britain had provided more than £150 million ($195 million) in humanitarian assistance, healthcare, education and support for civil society and local communities in Myanmar since the 2021 coup.

Over 3.4 million people have been displaced by the fighting, over 18 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, and Myanmar is now seeing ‘a proliferation in serious and organised crime’, it added.

The latest sanctions come as ethnic minority rebels and ‘People’s Defence Forces’ battling to overturn the junta’s coup are riding the wave of a huge year-long offensive.

It has ejected the junta from around 50,000 square kilometres — an area roughly the size of Bosnia — according to analysts and an AFP tally, putting the rebels in sight of the former royal capital, Mandalay.​

 

[Saif]

Another 506 Rohingya refugees relocated to Bhasan Char

Another 506 Rohingya refugees were relocated to Bhasan Char in Noakhali district on Tuesday from different refugee camps in Cox's Bazar. This is the 25th relocation of Rohingya refugees at Bhasan Char Island in Hatiya. Earlier, 406 Rohingya refugees who fled from Bhasan Char were shifted there ag

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Another 506 Rohingya refugees relocated to Bhasan Char
Published :
Oct 29, 2024 21:11
Updated :
Oct 29, 2024 21:12

An aerial view of Bhasan Char Rohingya camp — File photo

Another 506 Rohingya refugees were relocated to Bhasan Char in Noakhali district on Tuesday from different refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.

This is the 25th relocation of Rohingya refugees at Bhasan Char Island in Hatiya.

Earlier, 406 Rohingya refugees who fled from Bhasan Char were shifted there again today by the 'Go and See' programme. All the 912 Rohingya men left Patenga at about 7:45 am boarding three vessels and reached Bhasan Char in Noakhali around 11:00 am.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bhasan Char Police Station Abu Jafor confirmed to BSS news agency.

The Rohingya began to move to the island in phases from December 4, 2020.​

 

[Saif]

UN envoy slams ‘zero-sum mentality’ in Myanmar conflict

The UN’s special envoy to Myanmar on Tuesday denounced what she called a “zero-sum mentality” among those involved in the long-simmering conflict there, saying that only a stop to the violence would open the door to reconciliation.

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UN envoy slams ‘zero-sum mentality’ in Myanmar conflict

The UN's special envoy to Myanmar on Tuesday denounced what she called a "zero-sum mentality" among those involved in the long-simmering conflict there, saying that only a stop to the violence would open the door to reconciliation.

Julie Bishop made the comments in her first address to a UN General Assembly committee since being named to the position in April.

Myanmar's military, which seized power in a 2021 coup, has faced intensified fighting for the past year from armed groups across the Southeast Asian nation, especially an alliance of ethnic rebel groups.

"Myanmar actors must move beyond the current zero-sum mentality. There can be little progress on addressing the needs of the people while armed conflict continues across the country," Bishop said.

"Any pathway to reconciliation requires an end to violence, accountability and unfettered access for the UN and its partners," especially marginalized groups such as the mostly Muslim ethnic Rohingya, she added.

"The Myanmar conflict risks becoming a forgotten crisis. The people of Myanmar, having suffered so much, deserve better."

Bishop, a former Australian foreign minister, said everyone involved in the conflict agrees that "the human suffering has reached unprecedented levels," highlighting the plight of the 3.4 million people displaced by the fighting. The UN envoy said she had been able to visit Myanmar, and met with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.

Bishop also met with representatives of ethnic rebel groups and various political parties, including that of jailed Aung San Suu Kyi.​

 

[Saif]

Myanmar junta chief visits key ally China

Myanmar’s embattled junta chief arrived in China Tuesday — his first reported visit since leading a coup in 2021 — but analysts say the invitation is only a lukewarm endorsement from his...

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Myanmar junta chief visits key ally China
Agence France-Presse . Yangon 06 November, 2024, 01:22

Myanmar’s embattled junta chief arrived in China Tuesday — his first reported visit since leading a coup in 2021 — but analysts say the invitation is only a lukewarm endorsement from his key ally and could backfire.

Min Aung Hlaing was in the southwestern city of Kunming for a summit of the Greater Mekong Subregion — a group including China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia — starting Wednesday.

The junta shared photos of the senior general addressing a gathering of Chinese business leaders, and he is also expected to hold talks with officials.

When the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected civilian government in 2021, Chinese state media refused to describe it as a coup, preferring ‘major cabinet reshuffle’.

China has stood by the junta since, even as others shun the generals over their brutal crackdown on dissent which opponents say includes massacring of civilians, razing villages with air and artillery strikes.

Richard Horsey, Crisis Group’s senior Myanmar adviser, said Min Aung Hlaing had been lobbying for an official invitation ever since the coup, as a public show of support. But Beijing has stressed the regional focus of the Kunming gathering, saying it wanted to consult ‘all sides’ against ‘a background of a weakening global recovery and geopolitical turbulence’.

‘While this (invitation to the summit) still implies recognition as head of state, it does not have the same diplomatic weight as a bilateral invitation to visit Beijing,’ Horsey said.

Ming Aung Hlaing’s trip comes with the junta reeling from a devastating rebel offensive last year that seized an area roughly the size of Bosnia — much of it near the border with China.

Analysts say Beijing is worried about the possibility of the junta falling and suspicious of western influence among some of pro-democracy armed groups battling the military.

Myanmar is a vital part of Beijing’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road initiative, with railways and pipelines to link China’s landlocked southwest to the Indian Ocean.

‘Beijing has now made clear its intentions for the Myanmar military to succeed,’ said Jason Tower of the United States Institute of Peace.

China has been reluctant to give a clear show of official recognition since the coup, Crisis Group’s Horsey said, but this may be changing.

‘China has pivoted to greater support for the regime — not because it is better disposed with the regime or its leader, but out of concern at a disorderly collapse of power in Naypyidaw,’ he said.

But the relationship is wracked by longstanding mistrust.

The junta’s top brass are wary of China, insiders say — stemming from Beijing’s support for an insurgency waged by the Communist Party of Burma in the 1960s and 1970s.

China gave its tacit backing to last year’s rebel offensive, military supporters say, in return for the rebels dismantling online scam compounds in territory they captured.

Those compounds were run by and targeting Chinese citizens in a billion-dollar industry and major embarrassment for Beijing.

But the rebels pushed further and in August captured the city of Lashio — miles from the scam compound heartland and home to a regional military command.

The fall of Lashio, home to around 1,50,000 people to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army was a step too far for Beijing, said Tower.

China has since cut electricity, water and internet services to the MNDAA’s traditional homeland on the border with Yunnan province, a source close to the group said.

A visit to China is ‘unlikely to resolve Min Aung Hlaing’s internal troubles,’ said Tower.

‘If anything, it could create new problems, as the general is likely to be perceived as making major economic and geo-strategic concessions to Beijing in exchange for Chinese assistance,’ he said.

One demand from Beijing will be speeding up elections the junta has promised to hold, said Tower — polls China’s foreign minister announced Beijing’s backing for in August.

Opponents of the polls say they will be neither free nor fair while clashes continues across the country and with most of the popular political parties banned.​

 

[Saif]

Arakan Army capture 20 Bangladeshi fishermen from Naf River

Myanmar's insurgent Arakan Army allegedly took 20 Bangladeshi fishermen hostage from the Naf River while they were fishing on Tuesday evening, said authorities. Moreover, 15 small wooden boats from the estuary of the river near Naikhongdia of Teknaf upazila were captured. Local Union Parishad (UP

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Arakan Army capture 20 Bangladeshi fishermen from Naf River
UNB
Published :
Nov 05, 2024 23:54
Updated :
Nov 05, 2024 23:54

Myanmar's insurgent Arakan Army allegedly took 20 Bangladeshi fishermen hostage from the Naf River while they were fishing on Tuesday evening, said authorities.

Moreover, 15 small wooden boats from the estuary of the river near Naikhongdia of Teknaf upazila were captured.

Local Union Parishad (UP) member Abdus Salam confirmed the matter saying that the fishermen from Shahparir Island, who were fishing near Naikhongdia with about 15 boats, were taken hostage at gunpoint by the Arakan Army.

All the fishermen are residents of Teknaf, he said, adding that they have already informed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) about the matter.

Lt. Col Mohiuddin Ahmed, commander of Teknaf-2 BGB, said they are in contact with Myanmar authorities to negotiate their release and are making efforts to bring them back.

Earlier on October 9, Myanmar's Navy took away 58 fishermen from the Bangladesh side of the Bay of Bengal, near Saint Martin's Island.

One fisherman was killed and two others were injured when Myanmar Navy opened fire on them.

On the next day, Myanmar authorities returned the fishermen in two separate groups, along with the body of one of the deceased.
​

 

[Saif]

From Rohingya camp to NY University

Maung Sawyeddollah from a Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar has received a scholarship to New York University. Sawyeddollah, who was determined to pursue higher studies, did not have a smooth journey.

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From Rohingya camp to NY University
Abdur Razzak Sarker
Dhaka
Updated: 05 Nov 2024, 22: 14

Maung Sawyeddollah in the USCourtesy

Maung Sawyeddollah from a Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar has received a scholarship to New York University. Sawyeddollah, who was determined to pursue higher studies, did not have a smooth journey.

He became stateless and passport-less after fleeing to Bangladesh to escape from the genocide of Myanmar Army. So the universities did not want to enroll him initially. At one point, his dream of higher studies was almost over.

More 1.1 million Rohingya resorted to Bangladesh, fleeing from the genocide by the Myanmar Army in 2017. Sawyeddollah and his family were among them. He has had deep interest in studies since his childhood. But he could not pursue higher studies as the Myanmar government imposed an embargo on higher studies for the Rohingya community. After coming to Bangladesh, he learnt that there was no legal provision to enroll Rohingya students for higher studies at any of the universities in Bangladesh.

Maung Sawyeddollah in front of New York University Courtesy

At one point he started writing to Bangladeshi educational institutions, humanitarian organisations and other authorities concerned in the country to ensure the right to higher studies for Rohingya students. He started running campaigns and writing articles seeking opportunities of higher studies for Rohingyas.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Maung Sawyeddollah said, “After becoming a refugee, I came to realise that it was tough for me to get higher studies. At first, I applied to different universities for higher studies. At first, I applied for an opportunity to the Cox’s Bazar International University, the nearest one from my camp.

“I also submitted applications to different international organisations for my higher studies. But I didn’t get the expected response from anybody in the beginning. My main goal was to continue my studies. I didn’t have any such desire to get higher studies in the US, but I wanted to study at a good university,” he added.

Sawyeddollah didn’t lose hope even after getting rejected by everyone. He said, “I applied to more than 100 universities. That doesn’t mean I randomly applied to every university. I applied to universities only after getting rejected from another one. For instance, I applied to Oxford University at first. But I was rejected as I didn’t meet their requirements. However, some of the universities that I had applied to offer me scholarships. I appealed to universities in various countries, including the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, Malaysia and Ireland. My main target was to ensure an opportunity to pursue higher studies.”

The US embassy in Dhaka posted on Facebook congratulating Maung Sawyeddollah on his success.

The post reads, “Applauding the first Rohingya student at New York University — congrats, Maung Sawyeddollah! From the hardships of genocide to admission at the NYU after applying to 147 universities, your unwavering commitment is a testament to resilience and determination. May your story inspire others and pave the way for dignity and justice for the Rohingya people.”

Expressing gratitude to the people who stood beside him, Maung Sawyeddollah said, “I am grateful to everyone who helped me get higher studies. I also want to thank the government of Bangladesh as it was not possible for me to come to the USA for higher studies without getting the clearance from Bangladesh. Besides, I am also grateful to the US Embassy in Dhaka for granting me a VISA without passport considering my situation.”

*This report appeared on the print an online versions of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Ashish Basu​