Rohingya crisis needs political push, experts say
Bangladesh needs stronger political and diplomatic pressure on Myanmar, backed by sustained international engagement and a clear repatriation roadmap, to resolve the prolonged Rohingya crisis, experts and government representatives said on Sunday.
They said the crisis could no longer be treated solely as a humanitarian issue, stressing that its political, security and geopolitical dimensions must be addressed to create conditions for the safe, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
The remarks came at a roundtable titled “The Rohingya Crisis: Emerging Challenges and Reframing Response Strategies”, organised by the Institute for Global Cooperation Foundation (IGC) at the BIISS auditorium in Dhaka.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, speaking as the chief guest, said the Rohingya crisis was not only a security concern for Bangladesh but also a matter of regional security.
He said Bangladesh must protect the Rohingya population while also safeguarding the security of its own citizens. He stressed the need to strengthen security around the refugee camps to curb criminal activities.
“Political will” is crucial to making repatriation possible, he said, adding that support from the United Nations and the international community would be essential to facilitate the return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Administration Md Ismail Zabihullah said the situation had become more complicated than before and called for effective political pressure on Myanmar alongside a clear and workable roadmap for repatriation. He said Bangladesh did not want confrontation and instead sought the safe, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
Zabihullah expressed confidence that the present government, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, would be able to pursue an effective and sustainable solution to the crisis.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam said Myanmar must complete the verification process for Rohingyas without further delay, stressing that the process could not continue indefinitely.
She also called for more effective use of regional organisations to address the crisis and generate political pressure on Myanmar.
Citizenship recognition key to lasting solution
Major General ASM Ridwanur Rahman, Director General of BIISS, said recognition of Rohingya citizenship must be a fundamental element of any lasting solution.
He noted that Myanmar had long denied the Rohingyas’ identity and referred to them as “Bengalis”.
Ridwanur suggested that the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor could potentially be used as part of diplomatic efforts to address the crisis, particularly given the strategic importance of the Rakhine, or Arakan, region along the corridor.
He expressed hope that China could play a constructive role in facilitating a solution.
Farah Kabir, Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, said Bangladesh had set a humanitarian example by sheltering the Rohingya refugees, while developed countries continued to provide humanitarian assistance.
However, she cautioned that humanitarian support should not become a reason to indefinitely delay repatriation and called for stronger efforts to achieve a sustainable solution.
Bangladesh’s deterrence capability discussed
Lt Gen (Retd) Md Mahfuzur Rahman, Chairman of the Osmani Centre for Peace and Security Studies, said Bangladesh had succeeded in repatriating Rohingyas in 1979 and 1993 when it had stronger deterrence capabilities.
He argued that Bangladesh’s reduced deterrence had affected Myanmar’s perception of the country and stressed the importance of strategic capability in dealing with the crisis.
Professor Dr Niloy Ranjan Biswas of the University of Dhaka said regional organisations must move beyond merely expressing concern and translate their positions into effective political pressure on Myanmar.
He called for coordinated initiatives involving regional and international partners.
Camp security and host communities
Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Additional Secretary and Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, said the situation inside the Rohingya camps had increasingly taken on a “war-like” character.
He identified the lack of a comprehensive government guideline or action plan as one of the major challenges and called for a coordinated strategy involving the ministries of Disaster Management and Relief, Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs, as well as other relevant agencies.
Raheed Ejaz, Special Correspondent of Prothom Alo, said insufficient attention had been given to the concerns of host communities living alongside the Rohingya population.
He noted that no Rohingya had yet returned to Myanmar and that the situation in Rakhine had changed significantly under military rule.
Speakers said the prolonged crisis was placing growing pressure on Bangladesh’s economy, security, environment and local communities.
They called for a comprehensive strategy combining repatriation diplomacy with stronger camp security, protection of host-community interests, regional cooperation and increased international political pressure on Myanmar.
The roundtable was moderated by Professor Dr Bulbul Siddiqi of North South University. IGC CEO Chowdhury Adnan Rahman delivered the welcome remarks.
UNHCR Bangladesh Representative Ivo Freijsen, Assistant Professor Avanti Harun of ULAB, Md Toufiq-ur-Rahman, Director General of the Myanmar Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Professor Dr Kazi Mahmudur Rahman of Independent University, Bangladesh, Professor Dr Sazzad Siddiqui of the University of Dhaka and Professor Dr Nurul Huda Sakib of Jahangirnagar University, among others, attended the discussion.
