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Repatriation of Rohingyas still not in sight 

Published : Sunday, 6 October, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 149
Akib Rahman Shanto
In August 2017, a deadly crackdown by Myanmar's army on Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State sent hundreds of thousands fleeing across the border into Bangladesh. Those persecuted joined around 300,000 people already in Bangladesh from previous waves of displacement, effectively forming the world's largest refugee camp. Today, Bangladesh is hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char, where refugees reside in 33 extremely congested camps. Not a single Rohingya has been repatriated so far, though there were attempts to begin repatriation in the past years.

Dhaka has been pushing for their repatriation, but Naypyidaw, which does not recognize the Rohingyas as citizens, has not been cooperative. The recent unrest in Myanmar has complicated the situation. The same crisis is again killing Rohingya men, women, and children, causing towns to empty, and eroding the remnants of their history and identity. In recent months, an additional 8,000 Rohingya have reportedly crossed the border into Bangladesh to escape violence committed by both the military and anti-junta forces. Following this, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has sought the international community's continuous attention to the Rohingya crisis, warning that otherwise, it might put the entire region in trouble, not just Bangladesh.

Scenario in Bangladesh: After the mass exodus of 2017, seven years have come and gone, and much has changed, but the scenario in Bangladesh remains unchanged. The deteriorating camp situation and growing vulnerability among the refugees are further challenging the sustainability of their stay in Bangladesh. Rohingya families remain trapped as refugees or internally displaced persons, serving an indefinite prison sentence until Myanmar establishes conditions that would allow them to return home with basic rights such as safety from violence, citizenship, free movement, health, and education.

Notably, the Rohingya refugees rely entirely on humanitarian assistance for protection, food, water, shelter, and health. Seven years later, the dwindling financial commitments by the international community are affecting the work of various humanitarian agencies on the ground. The camps in Cox's Bazar are grappling with a shortage of food supplies, health and hygiene issues, and a lack of education for the Rohingya children. The camps require approximately $852 million in humanitarian aid this year. Till August, less than 40 percent of the sum has come through.

Given these circumstances, accepting any more Rohingyas from Myanmar will only exacerbate the huge burden that Bangladesh is already facing. This small country struggles to ensure humanitarian support amid declining funding, while repeated efforts to repatriate them did not materialize. Following this, Bangladesh has clearly stated that it is not possible to accommodate any new Rohingya. However, in recent months, the influx of Rohingyas into Bangladesh has grown in small groups. If that continues, no large influx is needed; gradually, a good number of Rohingyas will cross the border. 

Yunus calls for global attention: The United Nations has described the Rohingya as "the most persecuted minority in the world." Keeping that in mind, Bangladesh has called for sustained international efforts for Rohingya humanitarian operations and their eventual repatriation to Myanmar, with safety, dignity, and full rights. "Bangladesh has reached her limits," Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser to the interim government, said at a side event of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Besides that, Yunus described the Rohingya issue as a "ticking time bomb". Moreover, he has proposed rethinking the solution to the Rohingya crisis to the international community. 

Among the three proposals, he emphasized an "all stakeholders' conference" to review the overall situation of the crisis and suggest innovative and forward-looking way-outs. Secondly, there is a need to revive the 'Joint Response Plan' program 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. 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.

Highlighting the importance of a quick and international solution to the Rohingya crisis through joint efforts, Dr. Yunus 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 during a joint press appearance with Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim on October 4.

Earlier in September, Yunus urged global partners, including the UN's International Organization for Migration, to provide more aid to support the refugees. He also called on international organizations to expedite the resettlement process for the Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh. Luckily, Dr. Yunus enjoys close ties with Western governments and the international donor community. His prominence and reputation overseas lend him the credibility to make effective pitches for increased humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh-the first and most immediate step needed to tackle the crisis. 

It is worth mentioning that while participating in the high-level UNGA side 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 in Bangladesh and the region. The EU has also voiced support for Yunus' administration. In September, the EU released €5 million in humanitarian aid for flood victims in Bangladesh, including the Rohingya living in refugee camps. Again, Yunus urged global partners, including the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM), to provide more aid to support the refugees.

Therefore, the global community must now come forward and support Bangladesh in its no more Rohingya stance. This assistance includes increasing aid for humanitarian purposes, supporting community development programs, and putting pressure on Myanmar to make rapid progress in the repatriation process in Rakhine State. Considering Myanmar's ever-changing situation, Bangladesh is ready to work with the international community to create an environment conducive to the dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their own country. Also, Bangladesh needs to follow the developments relating to Myanmar closely. Bangladesh may find a solution if it can incorporate the issue into regional or global-level negotiations.

The Rohingya can't go back to their place, nor can they stay permanently where they are at this moment. Remember, no one would opt for exile unless forced to do so. A real solution can be found only through international coordination. Most importantly, any solution must involve consultation with the Rohingya community itself. As of now, repatriation and resettlement are the only options that suit Bangladesh's interests. Also, the new interim government of Bangladesh will need a feasible policy surrounding thenew Rohingya arrival. Under this circumstance, Bangladesh should consider maintaining contact with the Myanmar government, the international community, and other stakeholders to find a way out.

The writer is Postgraduate student of the Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka


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