Diplomatic Correspondent :
Eight years after the mass exodus of Rohingya from Myanmar, eleven foreign missions in Bangladesh have reiterated their strong support for the displaced community and praised Bangladesh for hosting over a million refugees.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, titled “Rohingya Crisis – Eight Years On”, the missions highlighted the urgent need for durable solutions, while noting that conditions in Myanmar remain unsuitable for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of the Rohingya population.
The statement precedes the High-Level Conference on the Rohingya Crisis, scheduled for September 2025, and underscores the ongoing displacement of more than 1.1 million Rohingya in Bangladesh since the military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in 2017.
Signatories include the High Commissions of Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, and the embassies of Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Finland, and Italy.
While commending the resilience of the Rohingya and the generosity of the Bangladeshi people and authorities, the missions noted that a timeline for repatriation remains uncertain.
They cited continued cross-border displacement, deteriorating security, and poor humanitarian conditions in Rakhine State as ongoing challenges.
“Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh want to return home. However, conditions in Myanmar do not currently allow for their voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return,” the statement said.
The diplomats stressed that repatriation can only be achieved by addressing the root causes of the crisis, including the restoration of peace, human rights, and stability in Myanmar. They urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts to create a conducive environment for eventual return.
The statement also condemned escalating violence and serious human rights violations perpetrated by Myanmar’s military and other armed groups, calling for an immediate cessation of violence, the release of those unjustly detained, and unhindered humanitarian access.
Expressing concern over declining humanitarian funding, the missions highlighted the importance of long-term solutions, including enhancing self-reliance opportunities for Rohingya refugees, preparing them for eventual reintegration, and continuing support to host communities in Cox’s Bazar.
“We will continue to work with the Government of Bangladesh and the international community to focus attention on the situation in Myanmar and the related humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh, including at the upcoming High-Level Conference in September 2025,” the statement said.
The missions also emphasised the importance of including Rohingya voices in decision-making processes, ensuring they can live safe, purposeful, and dignified lives while in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement on 24 August, US Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Tommy Pigott reaffirmed support for the people of Myanmar, including Rohingya and other ethnic groups affected by violence and displacement. He commended Bangladesh and other host countries in the region for providing shelter to refugees from Myanmar.
