ASEAN to closely work on Rohingya repatriation
Staff Reporter :
ASEAN is dedicated to closely collaborating to facilitate the commencement of the repatriation process for Rohingyas who have been staying in Bangladesh for more than six years, ensuring their return to Myanmar this year.
The perspective of ASEAN was conveyed at a meeting held on Friday at the Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon between Alounkeo Kittikhoun, Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chairman, and Dr Md Monwar Hossain, the Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar.
The special envoy, during the meeting, briefed the Ambassador on his meetings with the State Administration Council Chairman, Government officials and other stakeholders in Myanmar.
Sharing the ASEAN Chairman’s views on the implementation of the five-point consensus, Alounkeo talked about the repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar from Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Ambassador expressed his hope that the ASEAN Chair would continue to play further positive role in facilitating repatriation of more than one million displaced people from the Rakhine State of Myanmar.
Ambassador and the Special Envoy have agreed to closely working on the issue throughout 2024.
Despite six years passing since the Rohingya influx into Bangladesh, the government persists in its endeavors to ensure their secure repatriation.
However, certain countries and international organisations advocate for their integration within Bangladesh.
Despite various initiatives both at national and international levels, the repatriation process could not be started.
On various occasions, the Foreign Ministry last year said that there might be a possibility to start the Rohingya repatriation process through a piloting.
In order to pave the way, both a troupe of Rohingyas and other government and international officials visited Myanmar to assure the Rohingyas of the arrangements for them.
But after their visit, the Rohingya representatives stated that they were not satisfied and they would not return without obtaining citizenship.
Besides, the international organisations have been saying that the return of the Rohingyas has to be voluntary and sustainable and the arrangement for their return was volatile due to internal fighting between rebels and Myanmar Army.
But the delay of repatriation process is exacerbating the law and order situation in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar.
The crime incidents are exponentially increasing every year compounded with killings, drug dealings, rape, murder, and other criminal activities.
According to information from Cox’s Bazar district police, there had been 115 incidents of murder within the Rohingya camps between August 25, 2017, and September 22, 2022.
The government of Bangladesh has repeatedly said that Myanmar has created the problem and they have to shoulder the responsibility and repatriation is the only solution.
In the latest development concerning Rohingya repatriation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the government’s engagement with China, acting as a mediator to address the crisis.
However, the international community, including the United States, asserts that suitable conditions for Rohingya repatriation have not been established yet.
Against this backdrop, experts and local residents have indicated that until the crisis is effectively resolved, prospects for a peaceful environment in the Rohingya camps remain uncertain in the foreseeable future.
Locals said that criminal activities have been escalating in the Rohingya camps, causing concern among both the local residents and those living near the troubled camps in Cox’s Bazar.
