A stronger role from the international community is crucial to help facilitate the safe and fast repatriation of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh. They must speak out about the importance of ethnic diversity and religious tolerance in Myanmar, experts and stakeholders have told a discussion.
On the other hand, diplomats from different countries participating in the event feared that the ongoing insecurity and instability in the Rakhine State has caused a spillover effect across the region. If the situation there is not properly addressed, militant elements like Islamic State and al-Qaeda can take advantage of this deteriorating situation. We want the international community to play its bolder role in this regard right now, rather than tomorrow. More than a million Rohingya refugees are now in Bangladesh after having fled ethnic cleansing in Rakhine State back in 2017.
The envoys — British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson, Malaysian High Commissioner Haznah Md Hashim, Canadian High Commissioner Lilly Nicholls, Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki, US Embassy Representative Arturo Hikes, and experts of local and international bodies spoke at the discussion, organised by the Bangladesh Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs (BCIPA), a think-tank of the Department of International Relations at Jahangirnagar University (JU) at a hotel in the capital on Saturday. Shahab Enam Khan, professor of International Relations, JU and the platform’s executive director, moderated the event.
Keeping the Rohingyas here in Bangladesh in refugee camps indefinitely is never a long-term workable solution to this refugee crisis. This is true whether the Rohingyas are being accommodated in Cox’s Bazar, or in better facilities at Bhasan Char. Ultimately, the Rohingyas must be repatriated to Myanmar where they should be recognised as full citizens with all their rights protected, and this process must be monitored closely by the international community. But for now, the fact is, Bangladesh is taking care of a massive Rohingya population. We have been providing housing, feeding, and various services to them since their mass exodus five years ago.
Diplomats, however, said livelihood opportunities of the Rohingyas must be allowed inside the camps because they think this will cut down on crime. They also suggested that private companies should be allowed to hire them under special arrangements. They think, since it is a regional and a global crisis, it will not see a fast solution. Besides, there are superpowers who are allies of Myanmar.
We are deeply concerned over the Myanmar military’s recent fighting with the insurgents and their border violations with Bangladesh. If the situation aggravates inside Myanmar, more people will attempt to enter Bangladesh. We ask our border guards to be more vigilant so that none can enter our territory.
