BD shelters 1.2m Rohingyas, seeks repatriation

Bangladesh continues to shelter nearly 1.19 million Rohingya refugees, underscoring the prolonged burden of a crisis that has yet to see a lasting solution despite years of diplomatic efforts.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman told Parliament on Tuesday that, according to the UNHCR, a total of 1,189,213 Rohingya displaced from Myanmar are currently residing in Bangladesh.

Responding to a question from ruling party lawmaker Imran Ahmed Chowdhury, the minister reiterated that the government sees repatriation as the only sustainable solution to the crisis, though progress remains dependent on international cooperation and conditions inside Myanmar.

He pointed to past repatriation successes to highlight Bangladesh’s longstanding approach, noting that around 200,000 Rohingya who arrived in 1978 returned under the leadership of Ziaur Rahman.

Similarly, of the 250,000 who fled in 1992, about 236,000 were repatriated during the tenure of Khaleda Zia.

Continuing that policy line, the government is currently pursuing diplomatic initiatives under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to facilitate the safe and voluntary return of Rohingya refugees.

The foreign minister said Bangladesh is actively engaging with the international community to push for a durable resolution, combining diplomatic efforts with legal support for accountability mechanisms.

He highlighted ongoing proceedings at the International Court of Justice, where a genocide case against Myanmar has reached an advanced stage, with hearings completed and a verdict expected.

Bangladesh, while not a direct party, is supporting the case through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

At the same time, the International Criminal Court is investigating crimes against humanity against the Rohingya, with efforts underway to secure arrest warrants against Myanmar’s top leadership. Bangladesh is assisting by providing evidence and cooperation.

Dhaka is also supporting a UN-backed independent investigative mechanism collecting evidence of serious international crimes, alongside developments in Argentina where arrest warrants have been issued against senior Myanmar officials.

Despite these efforts, the minister emphasized that the crisis cannot be resolved without ensuring conditions for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Rohingya to Myanmar-something that remains elusive.