Staff Reporter :
Adviser to the Foreign Ministry Md Touhid Hossain has called upon the international community at the commonwealth ministerial meeting to take stronger action for the resolution of the ongoing Rohingya crisis through repatriation.
He emphasised that the crisis is not only a matter of concern for Bangladesh, but also poses risks to the broader region, calling on global leaders to act promptly and decisively.
He said it during a Commonwealth Ministerial meeting held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday.
The Commonwealth Ministerial meeting brought together representatives from various countries to discuss pressing global issues, with the Rohingya refugee situation at the top of the agenda.
As the world watches the ongoing plight of the Rohingya people, Bangladesh continues to bear the brunt of the humanitarian crisis, sheltering over one million displaced Rohingyas who fled persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
During the session, Touhid Hossain stated that the crisis in Myanmar is no longer confined to the borders of Bangladesh and Myanmar but threatens to spill over into the entire region.
“Bangladesh is currently hosting 1.2 million displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar. At least 32 thousand children are adding to this population every year. In the past two months another 20 thousand Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh due to the conflicts in Myanmar. Repatriation is the only solution of this crisis,” he said.
“Rohingya crisis just doesn’t concern Bangladesh. The crisis faced by Myanmar people risks spilling over to region around. International community needs to act,” he added.
The Rohingya crisis began in earnest in 2017, when Myanmar’s military launched a brutal crackdown on the Rohingya Muslim minority, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee to neghbouring Bangladesh.
The refugee influx led to the establishment of makeshift camps in Cox’s Bazar, which quickly became the world’s largest refugee settlement.
While Bangladesh has been widely praised for its efforts to provide shelter and aid to the refugees, the situation has placed immense strain on the country’s resources.
“The international financial support for the Rohingyas is decreasing every year. On the other hand, Bangladesh has been spending its own money to support the Rohingyas,” Touhid Hossain said recently during a press briefing at the Foreign Ministry.
The protracted nature of the crisis has exacerbated economic, social, and security challenges in the region, leaving both the refugees and the host community in a state of uncertainty.
Touhid Hossain underscored these concerns, noting that the crisis in Myanmar is far from being resolved and the international response has been inadequate.
For over six years, Bangladesh has shouldered the responsibility of sheltering the Rohingya people, but this cannot be a long-term solution, he said.
“The international community must step up its efforts to find a sustainable resolution in the crisis, starting with the safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya to their homeland,” he said.
Hossain’s remarks at the Commonwealth Ministerial meeting highlighted the broader implications of the Rohingya crisis for regional stability.
The protracted displacement of the Rohingya people has fueled tensions within the refugee camps, where violence and human trafficking are growing concerns.
Moreover, the prolonged crisis has the potential to destabilise neighbouring countries, particularly as Myanmar continues to face internal conflict and instability following the military coup in 2021.
Bangladesh has constantly called on the international community to hold Myanmar accountable for its actions and to facilitate the safe and voluntary return of the Rohingya to their homeland.
The foreign adviser has urged the global leaders to intensify diplomatic efforts, provide greater humanitarian assistance, and take concrete steps to ensure justice and accountability for the atrocities committed against the Rohingya people.
Recently Touhid Hossain told the journalists during a press briefing, “Every year the foreign supports are reducing whereas Bangladesh is spending huge amounts from its funds every year. We want international pressure from international communities. Nobody should think of any other solutions except repatriation of the Rohingyas.”