Nine Years Since the Rohingya Influx: No Alternative to Repatriation

THERE has been absolutely no progress in resolving the Rohingya issue over the past nine years.

On the contrary, the Rohingya crisis has ballooned into a problem of mountainous proportions. The situation is extremely alarming.

During this period, not a single Rohingya has returned to Myanmar. Instead, the population has swelled by several hundred thousand more.

Concurrently, the camps have seen a surge in grave crimes such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, murder, smuggling, and terrorism.

Although the international community has frequently offered assurances regarding Rohingya repatriation, there has been absolutely no sign of it in reality.

Security forces recently conducted a raid after receiving information about the activities of a terrorist group.

Upon arrival, they discovered a secret tunnel; while the structure appeared to be a house from the outside, the underground tunnel allowed criminals to escape with ease.

Media reports indicate that more than a dozen armed gangs are active within the camps. Drug trafficking has emerged as a major problem in the Rohingya camps.

It is believed that these camps serve as one of the key hubs for the menacing drug network established across the Teknaf-Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar region.

According to data from law enforcement agencies, 4,897,823 pieces of Yaba were seized from the camps over the seven-year period from 2020 to 2026.

In addition, 128 kg of cannabis, 494.05 liters of locally made liquor, and other narcotics were seized.

Over the past nine years, 277 cases have been filed in connection with 288 murder incidents.

In 2017, more than 750,000 Rohingya sought refuge in Bangladesh to escape military persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

According to United Nations estimates, this figure has now reached 1.2 million, while other estimates place the number at 1.5 million.

This situation has evolved into not merely a humanitarian crisis for Bangladesh, but a massive social, economic, and security challenge.

Moreover, it is a regrettable fact that the sympathy initially shown by the international community regarding the Rohingya crisis has now largely faded.

However, it is not possible for Bangladesh alone to overcome this humanitarian disaster without the support of the international community.

Refugee experts believe that Bangladesh needs to adopt an effective, pragmatic, and outcome-based foreign policy, one that compels Myanmar to actively cooperate in a concerted initiative to resolve the Rohingya crisis and convince the international community.

We believe this crisis cannot drag on year after year. Experience has shown that the crisis has only grown more complex over time.

Against this backdrop, there is only one way forward: the repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland.