City Desk :
Newly appointed High Representative for Rohingya Affairs Dr Khalilur Rahman criticized the lack of significant action on the ongoing Rohingya crisis saying no major initiative was taken by now to resolve the issue.
“The crisis has dragged on for far too long, we have not taken substantial steps to address the issue, and as a result, the global focus has waned,” he told the official news agency BSS after assuming office on Wednesday.
The new envoy emphasized that his top priority is to revitalize the issue both domestically and on the international stage, reports BSS.
Dr Rahman also stressed the need to restore momentum in the international discourse on the crisis, which he claimed has been sidelined in recent years.
He said that his immediate objective is to ensure that the Rohingya issue regains prominence both within Bangladesh and on international forums.
While discussing the role of China in mediating between Bangladesh and Myanmar, Dr Rahman acknowledged the evolving political landscape in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, where the situation has changed significantly. He noted the shifting power balance between the Myanmar government and the Arakan Army, which has altered the regional dynamics.
“There have been political changes in Rakhine … the balance between the Myanmar government and the Arakan Army has shifted, and we must take this new reality into account as we move forward,” he said. Dr Rahman underscored the need for caution, indicating that Dhaka would carefully assess the situation before making any hasty decisions. “We must work with all relevant stakeholders to formulate an approach,” he added.
As Bangladesh continues to host over a million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar since the 2017 military crackdown by Myanmar, Dr Rahman noted that while the humanitarian crisis is of paramount importance, global attention is divided due to ongoing conflicts elsewhere in the world.
“The crisis in Rakhine is not the only major issue in the world today,” he pointed out. “There are wars happening in different parts of the globe, and we need to compete for international attention and support,” he said.
Nevertheless, the new envoy reiterated the importance of keeping the humanitarian aspect of the crisis at the forefront with over a million displaced persons living in difficult conditions.
Mentioning that the situation demands a careful, coordinated response he said Dhaka also needs the continued support of the Western bloc, as they are major contributors to humanitarian aid for the displaced people.
“The objective is clear: the Rohingyas are originally from Rakhine, they belong to Myanmar, and they must return to their homes. There is no alternative to this solution,” he affirmed.
Since the exodus of Rohingyas began in August 2017, repatriation efforts have been unsuccessful due to a lack of trust and safety concerns among the refugees regarding their security in Myanmar.
