Staff Reporter :
Amid the volatile situation in Myanmar, an intensified international pressure is necessary to address the Rohingya crisis which Bangladesh is experiencing over the last five years, said Editors Guild, Bangladesh on Saturday.
The Guild also observed that the recent conflicts on the Myanmar border have created a kind of tension inside Bangladesh and a geopolitical issue is working behind it.
The issues sprang up in a roundtable meeting on ‘Rohingya Crisis – Border Situation and Geopolitics’ held in the Dhaka Gallery in the capital, moderated by Presidium Member of Editors Guild and Editor of Daily Bhorer Kagoj.
Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury said, “A sanction should be imposed on Myanmar. The Myanmar ambassador should be summoned to convey that such situation cannot go on. Myanmar should be dropped from the SWIFT system.”
He said that the Rohingya crisis has been deepening with the passage of time and it should be resolved diplomatically.
“Keeping the unrest across the border, we should also deploy some missiles facing Cox’s Bazar,” he added.
Former Ambassador Munshi Foyez Ahmad said, “We are noticing a unity among the internal forces against the Myanmar Army. We have kept our security forces on high alert.”
Professor of International Relations, University of Dhaka Dr Imtiaz Ahmed said, “Myanmar has shifted its attention from the Rohingya issue when Aung San Suu Kyi lost power. The internal groups of Myanmar are taking advantage of the weaknesses of the Junta government. The international communities are also taking advantage by selling arms.” Security analyst Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Shakhawat Hossain observed that the Arakan Army on the other side of the border is trying to get Rohingyas beside them. “If the Rohingya youths join with them, what will the situation be?” he added.
Another security analyst, Major General (Retd) Abdur Rashid said, “Rohingya issue is a major problem for Bangladesh. The position of China and India about the Rohingya issue is very important.”
Chairman of National Human Rights Commission Kazi Reazul Hoque said, “When the Rohingya exodus happened in 2017, Bangladesh placed five point proposals. The international community should come forward. Bangladesh should strengthen its role in addressing the issue.”
Security analyst Prof Dr Abdur Rab Khan said, “The Rohingya crisis has been discussed on a bilateral and international forum. But there is not much progress in Rohingya repatriation. Rather the situation has aggravated.”
“The Rohingya issue is getting dust due to the conflicts across the border. The Myanmar junta government may intentionally create such conflicts,” he added.
