UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ four-day visit to Bangladesh, which ended on Sunday, will be historic for many reasons.
The highlight of his visit was a solidarity iftar with one lakh Rohingyas along with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
Bangladesh sheltering the Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds since August 2017 after they fled Myanmar in droves amid widespread killings, rape and brutal torture there.
But the desired repatriation did not happen as yet. Rather, the repatriation situation became more complicated due to the political situation in Myanmar.
Bangladesh now is struggling to cope with the huge numbers of this population It has already been announced that food aid for the Rohingya population from Myanmar taking refuge in the Cox’s Bazar camps will be halved from April.
If the allocation for the Rohingyas is reduced to half, it will be difficult for them to survive. In this situation, the Rohingyas are also prioritizing going back to their own country.
Meanwhile, the visit of the UN Secretary-General has come as a ray of hope for the naturally worried Rohingyas. Dr. Yunus addressing the Rohingyas assured them that they will be able to celebrate Eid in their homeland next year, keeping the UN Secretary General in front of him.
Antonio Guterres’ also said the only solution to the crisis is the repatriation of the Rohingyas.
The question is, can Bangladesh do it?. Bangladesh should have dialogue with those who will have control over Rakhine.
The United Nations should have to play a strong role in this regard. Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus will visit China later this month.
We know that China can play the biggest role in the repatriation of Rohingyas. We believe that he will emphasize the Rohingya issue during that visit as well Eid comes with joy.
But the oppressed Rohingya people celebrate Eid with the pain of deprivation.
The visit of the UN Secretary-General and the speech of Muhammad Yunus will surely increase their joy during this Eid.
The world community must come forward so that they can be optimistic about celebrating the next Eid at their ancestral home in Myanmar.
