Rohingya crisis: Bangladesh vows to halt further influx
Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :
Bangladesh has been battered by the Rohingya crisis over the last six years, with no repatriation progress as the Myanmar government has failed to take back any Rohingyas. Instead, new influxes of Rohingyas waiting on the Naf River pose a growing threat to Bangladesh.
Experts highlight that Bangladesh is already oversaturated with over 1.3 million Rohingyas, making it increasingly difficult to provide shelter for more. The government has stated that no more individuals from Myanmar will be allowed to enter Bangladesh, and law enforcement agencies are on high alert to prevent any new influx.
During a visit to Cox’s Bazar on Friday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, “There is an ongoing warfare within Myanmar. The Arakan Army, along with several small insurgent groups, is engaged in conflict with the Myanmar government forces. Given this situation, no individual from that country or elsewhere will be allowed entry.”
He mentioned that the instability caused by clashes between government forces and the Arakan Army is also creating instability inside the camps in Cox’s Bazar. “Therefore, no one will be permitted to enter from Myanmar, and even movement within the camps will be restricted. The law enforcement agencies will maintain a strict stance on this matter,” he said.
Regarding instability inside the camps, he noted, “There have been reports of arms smuggling within the Rohingya camps, and various factions have emerged, engaging in different types of crimes. Such activities will no longer be tolerated.”
On the security of the camps, he added, “Regular patrols will be conducted within the camps by a combination of APBN (Armed Police Battalion), police, BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh), and RAB (Rapid Action Battalion) units. Additionally, the military will be on standby at all times, intervening when necessary.”
In response to a question from journalists about repatriation, the Home Minister remarked that there is no alignment between Myanmar’s words and actions. “Bangladesh, along with international organizations, is diligently pursuing the repatriation of Rohingyas. Myanmar remains an unstable country with ongoing conflicts. Despite various agreements and understandings signed with Myanmar regarding repatriation at different times, progress has not been made due to Myanmar’s actions. It is hoped that Myanmar will repatriate the Rohingyas swiftly,” he mentioned.
He also reminded that Bangladesh has been drawing attention to the international community to resolve the Rohingya crisis; otherwise, this area could turn into a hub of international terrorism, signs of which are already being observed.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights recently called upon Bangladesh and other states to provide effective protection to the recently displaced Rohingyas by the fighting in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships. “Tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced in recent days by the fighting in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships. An estimated 45,000 Rohingya have reportedly fled to an area on the Naf River near the border with Bangladesh, seeking protection. Over one million Rohingya are already in Bangladesh, having fled past purges,” UN rights office spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell said on May 24.
Speaking to The New Nation on Friday, Dr. Delwar Hossain, Professor of International Relations at Dhaka University, said, “The Rohingya crisis has not been resolved yet. Not a single Rohingya has been repatriated. Bangladesh is already oversaturated with 1.3 million Rohingyas. Under such a situation, it is quite impossible to shelter more Rohingyas.”
“The government has taken an official position not to allow any more Rohingyas to enter Bangladesh. Now we have to see the ground reality of what the government can do,” he remarked.
Holding Myanmar responsible for not resolving the Rohingya crisis, he said, “Myanmar is not resolving the crisis. Rather, it is taking all opportunities to keep the problem alive.”
Drawing attention to recent UN remarks about India pushing Rohingyas into Bangladesh, Professor Delwar said, “Even the friendly countries of Bangladesh such as India are not sharing the burden of Rohingyas in their territories. Instead, India is allegedly pushing people into Bangladesh.”
“Many other countries are vocal for other refugees but they are not talking about the resolution of the Rohingya problem. Now the international community is reducing humanitarian funds for Rohingyas. Bangladesh is now taking loans from the World Bank,” he said.
The professor emphasized that the Rohingya crisis should be resolved immediately, as various crimes, including violence, are proliferating inside the camps, ultimately affecting the entire region.