[🇧🇩] Insurgencies in Myanmar. Implications for Bangladesh

[Saif]

Four bodies recovered after Rohingya boat capsizes off Teknaf coast, several still missing

A Rohingya child and three women have been found dead after a boat capsized while trying to enter Bangladesh through the Teknaf coast, according to the local authorities. Several people, including a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) member, are still missing. A total of 25 people have been rescued by

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Four bodies recovered after Rohingya boat capsizes off Teknaf coast, several still missing
bdnews24.com
Published :
Mar 22, 2025 23:57
Updated :
Mar 22, 2025 23:57

A Rohingya child and three women have been found dead after a boat capsized while trying to enter Bangladesh through the Teknaf coast, according to the local authorities.

Several people, including a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) member, are still missing.

A total of 25 people have been rescued by Bangladesh's border security forces.

BGB spokesperson Shariful Islam told bdnews24.com that the boat was heading towards Bangladesh via sea route around 2:30am on Friday.

"Near Shah Porir Dwip, the boat began to sink after its hull cracked. Hearing the cries of the passengers, a nearby BGB patrol team rushed to the scene.

“They rescued 25 people from the boat. During the operation, one BGB member went missing."

The spokesperson added that the missing BGB member's name is Billal Hasan, and he is serving as a sepoy.​

 

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UN General Assembly adopts resolution on Rohingya crisis

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on the scope, modalities, format, and organisation of the high-level conference on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar under the sponsorship of Malaysia and Finland on Tuesday.

en.prothomalo.com

UN General Assembly adopts resolution on Rohingya crisis
UNB
Dhaka
Published: 26 Mar 2025, 21: 34

Rohingya refugees from Myanmar's Rakhine state wait for aid at Kutupalong refugee camp in the Bangaldeshi town of Teknaf on 5 September, 2017. File photo

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on the scope, modalities, format, and organisation of the high-level conference on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar under the sponsorship of Malaysia and Finland on Tuesday.

The Permanent Representative of Bangladesh, Ambassador Md Salahuddin Noman Choudhury, made an intervention during the open debate session and proposed a vote on this resolution, as Russia had proposed several amendments that Bangladesh did not accept.

The President of the General Assembly convened the vote, and the resolution was adopted with 141 votes in favour, according to a message received today.

There was no vote against the resolution. However, 10 countries abstained from voting.

The adoption of this resolution is a significant landmark in resolving the Rohingya issue in the future, as it comes at a time when Dhaka is planning to organise a special summit on the Rohingya crisis in New York in September.​

 

[Saif]

US to give $73 million to aid Rohingya refugees: state dept

'This food and nutrition support through @WFP will provide critically needed food and nutrition assistance for more than one million people,' US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce says in a post on X

www.thedailystar.net

US to give $73 million to aid Rohingya refugees: state dept

A view of the Rohingya refugee camp with mountains of Myanmar in the background is pictured in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, March 16, 2025. Photo: Reuters/Mohammad Ponir Hossain

The Trump administration said on Thursday it will provide $73 million in new financial aid to Rohingya refugees through the UN World Food Programme, amid concerns that aid cuts could deepen the crisis for the world's largest stateless population.

"This food and nutrition support through @WFP will provide critically needed food and nutrition assistance for more than one million people," US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a post on X. "It is important that our international partners engage with sharing the burden with life-saving assistance such as this."

The infusion comes as US President Donald Trump and his administration have made sweeping cuts to foreign assistance as part of his "America First" agenda and wider efforts to drastically cut federal spending and dismantle parts of the US government.

Two United Nations agencies had warned that a funding deficit would curb rations for the Rohingya in Bangladesh who have fled violence in neighboring Myanmar for the past eight years. Refugees have worried that cuts would worsen hunger, curtail critical healthcare and fuel crime.

Washington had been the largest provider of aid to the Rohingya refugees, contributing nearly $2.4 billion since 2017, according to the State Department. But the recent freeze on funds after Trump took office in January has forced at least five hospitals to reduce services.

Trump and billionaire ally Elon Musk have moved to shutter USAID, the main US foreign aid agency, and merge its remnants into the State Department, fired hundreds of staff and contractors and terminated billions of dollars in services on which tens of millions of people around the world depend.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in February granted a waiver for all life-saving assistance and reasonable administrative costs as necessary to deliver such aid.

The Trump administration official overseeing the dismantling of USAID had proposed phasing out help for the Rohingya, Reuters reported earlier this month.​

 

[Saif]

WFP reverses decision to cut food aid for Rohingyas in Bangladesh

The World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations has reversed its decision to reduce food aid for Rohingyas residing in Bangladesh's refugee camps, following concerns over the impact of the cut. In the latest development, the residents of various camps along the coast of Cox's Bazar will now r

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WFP reverses decision to cut food aid for Rohingyas in Bangladesh
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Mar 27, 2025 22:49
Updated :
Mar 27, 2025 22:49

The World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations has reversed its decision to reduce food aid for Rohingyas residing in Bangladesh's refugee camps, following concerns over the impact of the cut.

In the latest development, the residents of various camps along the coast of Cox's Bazar will now receive a monthly food allocation of $12 per person, down from the previous $12.50, UNB reports.

Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, the Refugee, Relief, and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), said, "WFP has informed us of this decision in a letter, which will come into effect from April 1."

He added that Rohingyas living in Bhasan Char would receive $13 per person, one dollar more than those in Cox's Bazar.

This change comes after WFP had previously communicated its plans to reduce food aid for Rohingyas in Bangladesh. On March 5, the Refugee Commission of Bangladesh received a letter from WFP saying that due to a funding crisis, it would cut the monthly food allocation for Rohingyas from $12.50 to $6 per person starting in April.

The letter from WFP raised concerns about the adequacy of food provisions for the refugees.

Then on March 14, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh.

During his visit, he was presented with details of what the Rohingyas would be receiving in terms of food for $6, which raised alarm over the insufficient amount.​

 

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Professor Yunus calls on Asian leaders to support Rohingya return

Bangladesh interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday called upon Asian leaders to offer their support for ensuring the repatriation of Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh to their homeland, Myanmar.

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Professor Yunus calls on Asian leaders to support Rohingya return
Staff Correspondent 27 March, 2025, 16:38

Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Bangladesh interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday called upon Asian leaders to offer their support for ensuring the repatriation of Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh to their homeland, Myanmar.

While addressing the Boao Forum Annual Conference in Hainan province of China, he said that the protracted crisis in Myanmar threatened regional stability, according to his speech shared by the chief adviser’s press wing.

‘While global efforts are drastically shrinking but continuing, Asian leaders must come together to ensure their [Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh] safe and dignified repatriation to their home country, Myanmar,’ said Yunus, who reached China on Wednesday on a four-day bilateral visit to the country.

Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.2 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar for more than seven years, he said.

‘We continue to bear significant social, economic, and environmental costs. The UN secretary-general has recently visited the Rohingya camps to express solidarity,’ he said.

None of the Mynanmar nationals sheltered in Cox’s Bazar camps in Bangladesh could be returned to Myanmar despite efforts since the large-scale exodus in 2017.

The chief adviser said that in the changing world, the destinies of Asian countries were intertwined and so they must chart a clear road map for a shared future and shared prosperity.

‘We must chart a clear road map for a shared future and shared prosperity. At this forum, Asia must step up and strengthen cooperation in four key areas,’ Yunus said, adding that first, for financial cooperation, Asia must create a sustainable financing mechanism.

He said that the forum was taking place at a critical juncture with geopolitical tensions rising amid growing humanitarian crises.

‘Political will for development cooperation is weakening. The world faces an alarming shortfall in collective action,’ Yunus observed, adding that Asia, home to 60 per cent of the global population and 55 per cent of the global GDP, was at the centre of these changes.

He said that in 2007, he had attended the Boao Forum for Asia to share insights on microcredit. ‘Today, I stand before you in a different capacity, representing a Bangladesh that underwent a historic transformation in July-August past year. The world witnessed people united against oppression and corruption.’

Zhang Jun, secretary general of Boao Forum for Asia, Ban Ki-moon, former secretary-general of the United Nations and current chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, attended the event where Ding Xuexiang, executive vice-premiere of the state council of the People’s Republic of China, delivered the keynote speech in the presence of entrepreneurs and business representatives, among others.

Ban Ki-moon met Yunus on the sidelines of the forum in Hainan.​

 

[Saif]

Man loses leg as landmine explodes on Myanmar side of border

A Bangladeshi man suffered serious injuries in a mine blast in the Myanmar side of the Bangladesh border along Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban today

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Man loses leg as landmine explodes on Myanmar side of border

A Bangladeshi man suffered serious injuries in a mine blast in the Myanmar side of the Bangladesh border along Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban today.

The injured, Mohammad Salam, 45, is currently receiving treatment at the Naikhongchhari Sadar Hospital, said Md Masrurul Haque, officer-in-charge (OC) of Naikhongchhari Police Station.

His left leg was blown off in the explosion, said the police official.

The injured man had illegally entered Myanmar to collect fire wood when he fell victim to the explosion, the OC added.

Locals said the incident occurred around this noon in Chakdhala border of Naikhongchhari Sadar Union, approximately 200m inside Myanmar, beyond Border Pillar 44 along the border.

Earlier, on the evening of March 26, another youth, Mohammad Babu, lost his left leg in a landmine explosion 300 metres inside Myanmar.​

 

[Saif]

Ship arrives with 17,000-tonne rice for Rohingyas

A ship carrying 17,000 tonnes of rice as food aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh has berthed at a jetty of Chattogram Port.

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Ship arrives with 17,000-tonne rice for Rohingyas
The aid will help avert ration cuts in April, says WFP

Photo: Collected

A ship carrying 17,000 tonnes of rice as food aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh berthed at a jetty of Chattogram Port yesterday.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) had received the rice from the United States as food aid and provided it for the Rohingyas.

Officials of WFP Bangladesh were present at the port as the ship, MV Fiora Topic, berthed at Jetty-11 at around 1:30pm, port officials said.

WFP Bangladesh imported the rice on the ship from the US port of Lake Charles, according to the port documents.

The vessel earlier arrived at the outer anchorage of the port on Saturday and berthed at the jetty yesterday after customs and other formalities were completed, said Khairul Alam Suzan, advisor of the ship's local agent Seawave Marine Service.

The ship was carrying around 17,000 tonnes of rice in 50-kg bags.

Unloading and delivery of rice from the ship started later in the afternoon and continued till 11:00pm. After a day of pause for Eid holiday today, the unloading would resume on Tuesday morning, said the agent.

Contacted, WFP Bangladesh spokesperson Kun Li confirmed the matter.

This is part of a contribution of food that WFP received from the US, she said.

"Thanks to timely contributions from donors, WFP is able to avert ration cuts in April. Full rations will be maintained in the coming months -- $12 per person per month for Cox's Bazar and $13 for Bhasan Char," she also said.

These adjustments are not reductions -- these amounts will ensure Rohingya families continue receiving the same quantity of food as before April, while taking into consideration foreign exchange charges and other favourable factors, Kun Li added.

The WFP earlier this month called for urgent funding for its Bangladesh operations, warning that a funding deficit would curb rations for the Rohingyas in the world's largest refugee settlement.

Reuters previously reported that the UN would have to cut food rations to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from $12.50 to $6 per month in April after failing to secure funding.​

 

[Saif]

US provide food assistance for Rohingyas

The United States has sent 17,000 metric tons of vital food aid for Rohingya refugees this week.

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US provide food assistance for Rohingyas
Prothom Alo English Desk
Dhaka
Published: 02 Apr 2025, 21: 14

The US sent 17,000 metric tons of vital food aid for Rohingya refugees this weekUS Embassy

The United States has sent 17,000 metric tons of vital food aid for Rohingya refugees this week.

This food, produced by American farmers, will be delivered through the World Food Programme as part of the United States’ assistance to more than one million Rohingya in critical need, says a press release issued by the US Embassy in Dhaka.

“The US contribution has remained at consistent levels. In order to ensure sufficient aid is reaching the impacted community, we encourage other donors and international partners to step up and provide additional resources to distribute the burden-sharing,” the US authorities says in the news release.​

 

[Saif]

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/hope-time-uncertainty-3864476

Hope at a time of uncertainty
Mixed reactions in Cox’s Bazar camps as Myanmar identifies 180,000 Rohingyas for return

Following reports of Myanmar verifying 1,80,000 Rohingyas for potential repatriation, a wave of mixed feelings has washed over the camps in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char.

Although many Rohingyas express a strong desire to return to their homeland safely, they remain apprehensive of Myanmar's ability to guarantee security.

Myanmar authorities on Friday confirmed to Bangladesh that out of a list of 8,00,000 Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh, they have identified 1,80,000 Rohingyas eligible for return to Myanmar.

However, this statement comes at a time when the Myanmar junta government has lost control over much of the Rakhine State, from where Rohingyas were displaced.

The rebel group Arakan Army has taken control of over 80 percent of the Rakhine state. So far, the Arakan Army has seized 14 out of 17 townships in the Rakhine state and is continuing its offensive to capture the remaining areas.

Our homes are now under the control of the Arakan Army. So how will they carry out repatriation? That's something we'll have to see — Mohammad Sadiq Rohingya journalist.

Mohammad Zubair, chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, suspects Myanmar of using this repatriation move to mislead the international community and escape arrest warrants issued in Argentina against its top military officials.

An Argentine court in mid-February issued arrest warrants for the head of Myanmar's military junta and former officials, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, over alleged genocide and crimes against humanity targeting the Rohingyas.

Zubair wondered where the Rohingyas would be placed if repatriated. "The Myanmar government must clarify this matter because most of Rakhine is currently under the control of the Arakan Army."

He stressed establishing a safe zone in Rakhine and ensuring a final agreement that guarantees their safety and citizenship as mandatory preconditions for their repatriation.

Rohingya journalist Mohammad Sadiq said he is uncertain whether Myanmar is capable of accepting the Rohingya at this moment.

"Our homes are now under the control of the Arakan Army. The junta has been forced to abandon these areas. So how will they carry out repatriation? That's something we'll have to see," he said.

Still, he thanked the Bangladesh government for pushing the repatriation process this far.

"We want to return to our homeland, but only if it is safe to do so."

After the announcement was posted, many Rohingya social media groups lit up with discussion. Although no one is sure when or how repatriation will begin, many expressed hopes at this development.

Mohammad Nur of Kutupalong Refugee Camp said he was delighted to learn that 180,000 Rohingyas have been identified as eligible for return to Myanmar and that more of their people are pending verification.

"I'm very happy to hear this, and I hope for a safe return of my people."

Bangladesh shelters 1.2 million Rohingyas, most of whom fled the military crackdown in Rakhine State in 2017. Not a single Rohingya could be repatriated to Myanmar despite several attempts over the last eight years.

Instead, about 100,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh since July last year as the conflicts between the Arakan Army and the military junta led to a further displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in the state.

Sources said the relationship between the Rohingya minority community and the Buddhist majority community in Rakhine State remains tense.

In addition to atrocities by the junta, they have frequently faced brutal attacks by local Rakhine groups as well.​

 

[Saif]

Hope rekindled for Rohigya repatriation

The Myanmar government's confirmation of 180,000 Rohingya's eligibility for repatriation from Bangladesh offers a glimmer of hope for the long-stalled Rohingya repatriation process which has been mired in global political complexities for the past eight years. Myanmar has also stated that the final

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Hope rekindled for Rohigya repatriation
Published :
Apr 07, 2025 01:03
Updated :
Apr 07, 2025 01:03

The Myanmar government's confirmation of 180,000 Rohingya's eligibility for repatriation from Bangladesh offers a glimmer of hope for the long-stalled Rohingya repatriation process which has been mired in global political complexities for the past eight years. Myanmar has also stated that the final verification of another 70,000 refugees is pending further review of photographs and identity details. Additionally, they have pledged to expedite the verification process for the remaining 550,000 names on the original list. This list, comprising 800,000 Rohingya, was submitted by Bangladesh to Myanmar in six batches between 2018 and 2020. However, the actual number of Rohingya refugees living in the overcrowded camps of southeastern Bangladesh, the world's largest refugee settlement, is about 1.2 million. These beleaguered people were forced to flee their homeland in the face of repeated military crackdowns, ethnic cleansing, religious intolerance and the systematic denial of fundamental civic rights, including citizenship. The ethnic people also as Muslim minority living in Rakhine state have periodically been persecuted and extirpated from their ancestral land on which they have become "foreigners". The first wave of the Rohingya arrived in Bangladesh in 1979 and with continuation of the process, the largest exodus happened in 2017, following what the United Nations called a "textbook case of ethnic cleansing" by Myanmar.

Now, after all these years the Myanmar government's confirmation of a certain number of refugees 'eligibility' to return out of 1.2 million may seem somewhat disturbing and disappointing. But this could signal the beginning of the long-awaited repatriation process, provided the Burmese government's commitment is genuine and sincere. The timing of this admission, coinciding with the BIMSTEC summit, raises the possibility that it is merely a face-saving measure at an international conference. As one Rohingya refugee aptly stated in the media, "After all these years, they are confirming only 180,000 names. This feels like nothing more than an eyewash. We want a genuine solution. Myanmar must take all of us back-not just a selected few-and they must ensure we return with full rights, dignity, and citizenship. Without that, this process means nothing to us." This sentiment reflects the deep-seated distrust among the refugees.

Nonetheless, Bangladesh must capitalise on this development by demanding a specific action plan from Myanmar regarding the repatriation process. Given that repatriation must be voluntary, both governments and the international community must prioritise creating an enabling environment. This includes addressing the root causes of the crisis, such as granting citizenship, ensuring the safe and sustainable return of the Rohingya to their homes by fostering a conducive environment, and implementing confidence-building measures. It is crucial to learn from past failures; attempts to initiate repatriation in 2018 and 2019 were unsuccessful due to the refugees' fear of persecution. Now, the situation has become all the more complex because Myanmar military lost control of the 90 per cent territory of the Rakhine state to the rebel Arakan Army. While this remains an internal matter of Myanmar, Bangladesh must engage in dialogue with the Arakan Army to establish a safe corridor for the repatriation of the Rohingya. If necessary, the United Nations should deploy a peacekeeping mission in Rakhine to ensure stability in the region. Simultaneously, a UN-led post-repatriation campaign in the Rohingya's ancestral homeland would encourage those currently sheltered in Bangladesh to return voluntarily. Bangladesh should no longer be expected to bear the burden of a crisis it did not create.​

 

[Saif]

Slippery ground of Rohingya repatriation

On the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, the Myanmar foreign minister U Than Swe reportedly informed Chief Adviser (CA) Dr Yunus's high representative, Dr Khalilur Rahman that the Myanmar authorities had identified 180,000 Rohingya individuals as 'eligible' for

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Slippery ground of Rohingya repatriation
SYED FATTAHUL ALIM
Published :
Apr 07, 2025 01:00
Updated :
Apr 07, 2025 01:00

On the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, the Myanmar foreign minister U Than Swe reportedly informed Chief Adviser (CA) Dr Yunus's high representative, Dr Khalilur Rahman that the Myanmar authorities had identified 180,000 Rohingya individuals as 'eligible' for returning to Myanmar out of a list of 800,000 (according to Myanmar authorities) sheltered in Bangladesh. However, the fact remains that over 1.2 million Rohingya people have been living in cramped conditions in the refugee camps of Cox's Bazar. To add to their woes, some 80,000 additional Rohingya people joined them since August 2024, as fresh violence erupted in Rakhine State of Myanmar. So, the figure of 800,000 refugees sheltered in refugee camps in Bangladesh is a sham and hence unacceptable. Notably, the original list of Rohingya people that sought refuge in Bangladesh following Myanmar military's genocidal crackdown on the Rohingya community in that country's Rakhine State in August 2017, was given to the Myanmar government in six phases between 2018 and 2020.

The Myanmar authorities, according to the press wing of CA, would be conducting scrutiny, verification, etc., of another 70,000 Rohingya people soon. When the international community has condemned the Myanmar military's action against the Rohingya people as genocidal, they had the cheek to ask the then-government of Bangladesh to allow them (Myanmar government's representatives) to conduct scrutiny of the victims of their ethnic cleansing to see if they were 'eligible' for repatriation in Myanmar. Now when they (Myanmar military) have practically lost control of some 90 per cent of Rakhine State to the rebel Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar government is behaving as if nothing has happened meanwhile and that they are still on top and can dictate terms regarding repatriation of their so-called 'eligible' Rohingya members from Bangladesh! As things stands, one wonders, what the Nay Pyi Taw authorities would do with the 'eligible' Rohingya members, even if the latter agree to the former's proposal of repatriation. The question arises because the military junta is currently in no position to rehabilitate the repatriated Rohingya members keeping the Arakan Army (AA) out of the picture. But junta government at the moment does not recognize the AA as the legitimate authority of Rakhine State. In that case, the junta's present offer of Rohingya repatriation needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. In this connection, one might recall a recent report of Human Rights Watch (HRW), in which it claimed that the Myanmar military had abducted 1,000 Rohingya men and boys as part of their forcible recruitment of Rohingya people in total violation of conscription law and prohibition on child soldiers. The Myanmar military rulers had been carrying out this illegal act since February 2024. Strangely though, in this case, the Myanmar junta, if at all it is following any law, it is then using a conscription law that only applies to the Myanmar citizens. But Rohingya people do not fall under this conscription law since they are not recognised as Myanmar's citizen under the country's 1982 citizenship law. In fact, what is now happening with the remaining Rohingya population in Myanmar is more sinister.

As reports go, Rohingya men and boys are being forcibly recruited either through the false promise of citizenship, or threatened with arrest or picked up in nighttime raids and then forced to undergo another round of abuse in the name of training for two weeks before sending them to the front to fight against the Arakan Army. Through this nefarious tactics, the Myanmar junta is killing two birds with one stone. On the one hand, the Rohingya people being so recruited under duress are after all getting killed (which the Myanmar authority wants) at the front and is further intensifying the AA's animosity towards the Rohingya, on the other. It has actually been the case since May 2024, when tens of thousands of Rohingya were forced to flee their homes from the townships of Buthidaung and Maungdaw in the Rakhine state as the rebels AA took over those settlements following withdrawal of the junta army. UN reports said, killing of Rohingya civilians and torching of their homes in those townships started as AA advanced in those townships following vacation of those by the Myanmar army. Clearly, the situation has come to such a pass that the Rohingya are now common target of both the Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) and the AA. This is very unfortunate and would prove to be a big barrier to future repatriation of the Rohingya to their ancestral homeland in the Rakhine. Under the circumstances, the incumbent interim government will have to give up the idea of resolving Rohingya issue by simply making any deal with the junta in Nay Pyi Taw alone. The emergence of the Arakan Army (AA) on the scene is a force to be reckoned with.

So, the government should not avoid creating a communication channel with the AA on the ground that they are a non-state actor. History provides ample instances of how once-non-state actors become state actors in the long run. The way the Myanmar junta is losing its grip on Rakhine State, which is the ancestral home of the Rohingya and the AA taking control of district after district, the latter, to all appearances, is now de facto ruler of Raknine State. The interim government will have to consider AA's role in the emerging scenario in any plan for Rohingya repatriation.​

 

[Saif]

undefined | The Financial Express

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Is there light at the end of dark tunnel?
Neil Ray
Published :
Apr 07, 2025 00:56
Updated :
Apr 07, 2025 00:56

So, Myanmar has agreed in principle to take back 180,000 Rohingya of the more than 1.0 million of this ethnic people it evicted from the country's Rakhine State. In a meeting between Dr Khalilur Rahman, a high representative of the Bangladesh interim government's Chief Adviser and U Than Swe, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Myanmar on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, the later confirmed the list of the 0.18 million Rohingya refugees for repatriation. This certainly is a major development in the political environment between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

This green signal marks a major shift in the policy of the Myanmar ruling military junta on the ethnic minority which was not only denied the rights the majority Buddhist community enjoys as the citizens of the country but also made stateless under a government-sponsored pogrom. By conceding the truth behind the nativity of Rohingya refugees, the Nay Pyi Taw ruling military government has not only indicated its readiness to start the process of repatriation but also improve relations with the neighbouring country hosting the largest concentration of refugees for years at a heavy cost.

The Myanmar move looks even more positive because subject to the final verification, another 70,000 Rohingya refugees may be issued clearance for their return to their native country. That will make the total of the refugees eligible for return a little less than one-fourth of the displaced population. The Myanmar side has also expressed its seriousness about prompt verification of the remaining 550,500 refugees. If this is what the military authorities mean, the repatriation may begin immediately with the 180,000 already found genuine nationals of that country. But the question is, if the situation in Rakhine is favourable for return of the Rohingya. That state on the other side of the Naf river is not under the control of the government. In fact, the Arakan Army fighting the government forces controls major parts of that state. Unless the warring parties guarantee safe return and security of life and property of the Rohingya, the refugees are unlikely to submit them to the two sides' crossfire.

But the process of repatriation cannot wait any longer. Now that the junta government has agreed to the Rohingya return, the United Nations must press into service all its instruments to broker peace in Rakhine State. If this is not possible, at least a safe zone for them has to be created through negotiation. Neither of the warring parties will violate the boundary of the area no matter how intense the fight between them is. If needed, international peacekeeping forces will have to be deployed there to ensure that the government forces and the Arakan Army respect the treaty signed by all the parties involved.

Understanding and cooperation between and among the three parties ---Bangladesh, Myanmar and the Arakan Army under the UN supervision will be in demand for the repatriation to happen. The UN agencies like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the UN Food Programme (UNFP) have to take a more proactive role in this regard. After all, the Rohingya refugees' post-repatriation rehabilitation is highly important.

In this context, the population boom in the refugee camps should also be taken into consideration. By 2017, the number of Rohingya refugees nearly reached a staggering number of 1.0 million but high rate of birth at the Cox's Bazar camps over the past years raised the total population to 1.2 million approximately. The names and photographs of the children born in the camps during this period have no match in the census documents of the Myanmar authorities. Hopefully, this additional young populace will not make any contentious issue.

The junta government should resolve the refugee issue in its own interest. Not only has it lost vast territories to rebel ethnic groups including Suu Kye's the National League for Democracy-led National Unity Government's armed wing the People's Defence Force (PDF) but also the devastation wrought by the earthquake of March 28 has slackened its political grip and left its economy vulnerable.​