Rising challenges, fund crisis and elusive repatriation continue

Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :
Rohingya crisis since 2017 has transformed into an enduring burden for Bangladesh, akin to a thorn stuck in the throat, but Myanmar, the source of this humanitarian catastrophe, has yet to palliate this nation of its weighty responsibility through the process of repatriation.

The Myanmar military systematically cleared numerous villages in Rakhine state, which was home to the marginalised Rohingya population.

They forcefully flushed them across the border, resulting in the influx of these displaced individuals starting in 25 August 2017.

Today will be commemorated as the culmination of six years, a period during which the world community bore witness to the odyssey of these persecuted people.

Ultimately, they found refuge in Bangladesh, a nation that embraced them as a mark of humanity before the resolution of the crisis.

But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lately informed to the journalists that the process for the repatriation has yet to start and efforts are on with the mediation of China.

Conversely, the international community including the US and humanitarian organisations like UNHCR said that the conditions of the Rakhine state are not yet conducive to facilitate the sustainable, dignified and voluntary repatriation of the 1.1 million Rohingyas.

Efforts by global entities like the United Nations and the International Court of Justice to ensure accountability and justice have seen sluggish progress.

The intricate web of funding challenges, criminal activities, and environmental issues complicate the Rohingya’s situation, necessitating holistic and cooperative strategies.

As part of the repatriation, Bangladesh and Myanmar side inked a deal “Arrangement on Return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State” on 23 November 2017, following a meeting between Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar and China played a role here.

Right after the pact, the then Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said the repatriation process will start soon.

“This is the first step. We’ll start our second step work now.”

Experts opined that the instrument has virtually blocked the path to resolving the crisis through multi-party engagement. As six years have passed, the crisis has further intensified and deepened.

The Rohingyas residing in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char has given rise to a range of challenges, encompassing criminal activities, environmental deterioration, fluctuations in the local job market, and, most significantly, a pressing international funding crisis to support both the existing population and future generations.

Numerous Rohingya individuals have expressed that the prolonged delay in the repatriation process has led them to feel trapped in a state of hopelessness, with little prospect of a positive outcome.

Experts emphasise that beyond providing shelter, it’s imperative to uplift the spirits of the Rohingya population, ensuring that they retain the desire to eventually return to their homeland.

Rather than accelerating the repatriation process, the international community has recently advised Bangladesh to consider integrating the Rohingya population, as stated by Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen lately.

Bangladesh government has repeatedly voiced to the international community that the prolonged delay will destabilise this region with terror activities, and the sign of its have already surfaced.

According to Cox’s bazar district police, there have been 115 incidents of murder within Rohingya camps between August 25, 2017, and September 22, 2022.

This year till July 7, at least 59 deaths occurred due to clashes and incidents of violence in the Rohinya camps.

Police and local sources said that the spate of crimes such as murder, kidnapping, robbery, violence, assault, weapon possession, drug trafficking, and theft, causing concern among both the local residents and those living near the troubled camps in Cox’s bazar.

Sources said that there are 32 armed extremist groups active in 33 camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf.

These camps are believed to house over five thousand armed militants, with more than two hundred thousand non-combatant supporters.

Despite law enforcement’s efforts to contain such criminal activities, the situation is aggravating day after day.

According to Human Rights Watch, the Rohingya community in Bangladesh confronts minimal chances of a secure return to their homeland, even as six years have passed since the Myanmar military initiated a campaign of widespread atrocities.

The organisation further stated that the United Nations Security Council’s efforts to hold Myanmar’s military leaders responsible for their crimes against humanity and acts of genocide targeting the Rohingya have proven ineffective.

In pursuit of accountability for the genocide perpetrated by the Myanmar army, a case initiated by The Gambia against Myanmar in November 2019 is currently in progress.

On July 22, 2022, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) established with fifteen affirmative votes and one dissenting vote that it holds the authority under the Genocide Convention to address the submission made by The Gambia against Myanmar.

Above all these issues, the funding for feeding the large number of population has become a major challenge for the international and host community.

Humanitarian agencies including UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have appealed for $876 million this year to assist around 1.47 million people, including Rohingya refugees and local Bangladeshis.

However, as of mid-August 2023, funds for the Joint Response Plan only reached 28.9 per cent of this appeal, dismally highlighting the need for consistent and predictable financial backing to prevent a broader humanitarian crisis.

The collective goal should be to ensure Rohingyas’ voluntary return to Myanmar – to their places of origin or choice, being able to move freely and access documentation, citizenship pathways, services and income-generation opportunities to rebuild their lives, UNHCR said recently.

Meanwhile, in a statement UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Thursday said, “Third countries should expand Rohingya resettlement programmes or provide temporary protection, particularly in the region.

And international efforts must be redoubled to reverse course in Myanmar and to ensure accountability and justice.”

Experts said that the repatriation process remains uncertain, and the call for integration underscores the complexity of the issue.