Staff Reporter :
Myanmar authorities have confirmed the identification of 180,000 Rohingya refugees, eligible for repatriation to Myanmar, out of the 800,000 Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh. This marks a significant step in addressing the ongoing Rohingya crisis.
The original list, provided by Bangladesh over six batches between 2018 and 2020, has been scrutinised by Myanmar authorities.
The final verification for an additional 70,000 Rohingyas is pending, as their photographs and names undergo further examination.
The confirmation was made by U Than Shew, Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, in a meeting with Dr. Khalilur Rahman, High Representative to the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, on the sidelines of the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on Friday.
This verified list of 180,000 represents the first batch of Rohingyas cleared for return, marking a crucial step towards resolving the refugee crisis that has plagued the region for years.
Myanmar also confirmed that it will expedite the verification process for the remaining 550,000 Rohingyas on the original list.
During the meeting, Dr. Khalilur Rahman expressed his condolences to Myanmar for the recent earthquake disaster and offered further humanitarian aid from Bangladesh to support those affected.
Since the formation of the Interim Government, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has been urging the international community to come forward to resolve the Rohingya crisis through sustainable repatriation to their homeland Myanmar.
The latest development in Thailand is a significant step forward for the resolution of the long overdue crisis which Bangladesh has been shouldering as the host country and facing multi-prong difficulties.
The Rohingya crisis began in 2017 when a military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine State forced more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee their homes, crossing into neighboring Bangladesh.
The violence, which included widespread reports of atrocities such as killings, rapes, and the burning of villages, led to one of the world’s most severe refugee crises.
After fleeing from Rakhine, the Rohingyas found shelter in sprawling refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh, particularly in Cox’s Bazar, where they live in overcrowded and challenging conditions.
In response, the international community and various human rights organizations have condemned the violence and called for justice and a sustainable solution to the crisis.
The United Nations described the atrocities as the ‘textbook example of ethnic cleansing.’
Efforts to repatriate the Rohingya refugees have been ongoing but fraught with difficulties. Myanmar and Bangladesh have held multiple rounds of talks, and in 2018, they signed an agreement to begin the repatriation process.
However, the return of refugees has been slow, hindered by concerns over security, citizenship, and the safety of the returnees in Myanmar.
The lack of guarantees for the protection of the Rohingya upon their return, coupled with limited international support, has delayed the implementation of the repatriation plan.
Bangladesh provided Myanmar with a list of over 800,000 refugees in 2018, seeking verification of their identities for repatriation.
The recent confirmation by Myanmar authorities of the first batch of 180,000 Rohingyas eligible for return is seen as a positive step in the right direction.
However, significant challenges remain, with thousands still waiting for a resolution to their plight.
Myanmar’s commitment to expedite the verification process for the remaining 550,000 refugees signals a renewed effort to resolve the crisis, though it remains to be seen whether the conditions in Myanmar will be deemed safe for the repatriation of all the refugees.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging both nations to ensure that any return process is voluntary, safe, and dignified for the Rohingya people.
