Bangladesh will have to remain incessantly engaged bilaterally, regionally, and globally to resolve the complex and protracted Rohingya crisis despite the lack of progress over the past few years. Experts at a seminar warned of the multidimensional consequences of Rohingya refugees’ long stay in the country’s politics, economy, and ecology.
They underscored the necessity of convincing the world actors, especially the United States, to get more involved in finding a peaceful solution to the crisis through the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas who sheltered in Cox’s Bazar to escape the genocidal crackdown perpetrated by the Myanmar security forces and their local Buddhist accomplices.
Rohingya men, particularly those in their teens and 20s, were vulnerable to terrorism and criminality as they had nothing to do right now. The Rohingya youths may join the terrorist outfits due to fear or pressure. The prevailing tension between host communities and the Rohingyas is due to some social and security issues.
The US will have to be convinced that its Indo-Pacific Strategy will be jeopardized in 10-15 years if the Rohingya crisis is not solved. Under India’s citizenship law, persecuted religious minorities from neighboring countries can be citizens of India but Rohingyas cannot because they are Muslims. Bangladesh wants voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas but the world forgot the largest refugee crises and most persecuted communities.
Bangladesh is at a crossroads and unable to move forward or backward with the Rohingya people at a time when the Indian government triggered NRC and the anti-Bangladesh political campaign looms with another influx of Indian Muslims, the country needs a balanced, courageous, independent foreign policy. Without visionary leadership in foreign policy, the upcoming days would not be good for us. We observed our foreign policies have become subservient and under shadowed by the big neighbour but Bangladesh should take cautious and balanced policies. In the Rohingya issue, we must connect the subjective friends and organize the force to realize our strategy.
