In a bid to overcome the impasse in Rohingya repatriation, Bangladesh has called for increased support from the international community to facilitate the prompt, secure, and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees back to their motherland in Myanmar. During a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office on Sunday, June 11, 2023, Bangladesh appealed for enhanced international assistance on the Rohingya issue.
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Led by Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, the meeting included foreign envoys and representatives from international agencies stationed in Dhaka. Now, a pressing question emerges, as to whether Bangladesh and its international partners can overcome the longstanding deadlock and pave the way for Rohingya repatriation?
Swift repatriation of Rohingya refugees in focus
During the recent meeting, Bangladesh emphasised the need for greater international support to ensure the swift, safe, dignified, and permanent repatriation of the Rohingya to their homeland in Myanmar, as stated in a press release. The principal secretary highlighted that the only viable solution to this crisis lies in the dignified and permanent return of the Rohingya to Myanmar, emphasising that there is no scope for their integration with the local population. Tofazzel Hossain requested cooperation from the participants in establishing temporary shelters for the displaced Rohingya.
The UN resident coordinator in Dhaka drew attention to the reduction in allocations from the World Food Programme and other donor agencies for humanitarian and food assistance to the Rohingya due to the global economic crisis.
During the meeting, the envoys of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Palestine, Turkey, Qatar, Kuwait, and China reiterated their countries’ commitment to extending support and assistance, aligning themselves with any initiatives undertaken by Bangladesh to address the Rohingya crisis.
Notable attendees at the meeting included Foreign Ministry Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Public Security Division Secretary Mustafizur Rahman, PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin, and Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Kamrul Hasan. The ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, China, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Kuwait, Oman, Palestine, Iran, and Iraq, along with the UN Resident Coordinator, UNHCR’s Representative in Bangladesh, and the WFP Country Director in Bangladesh, were also present.
Appeal was made last year too
Last year, during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the international community and the United Nations to play a stronger role in resolving the Rohingya crisis by facilitating the repatriation of the displaced Myanmar nationals back to their home country. During a meeting at the Lotte New York Palace hotel, the Prime Minister reiterated her call to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi for increased support in addressing the Rohingya crisis. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen shared the details about the Prime Minister’s activities with journalists during the UNGA sessions. Prime Minister Hasina highlighted the importance of enhancing the UNHCR’s activities in Myanmar regarding Rohingya issues. In response, Grandi expressed his intention to visit Myanmar in the near future. The premier restated that the only viable solution to the Rohingya crisis is the repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingya population, a sentiment that the UNHCR high commissioner agreed with.
The discussion between the Prime Minister and the UN envoy also covered the current activities of the UNHCR in assisting the Rohingya population residing in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char in Bangladesh.
A future without homelessness?
During a side event on “Sustainable and Affordable Housing,” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon world leaders to join hands in forming a strong global partnership to eradicate homelessness. She emphasized that homelessness is a curse that affects both developing and developed countries, but it is within our capacity to address this issue. The Prime Minister shared Bangladesh’s successful experience in managing homelessness and providing free land and houses to the landless and homeless population in the country. Additionally, she highlighted that her government is also addressing the challenges faced by climate-affected families. As an example, she mentioned the accommodation of 5,000 climate-refugee families in 139 multi-storey buildings in Cox’s Bazar.
In early May, a significant development took place regarding the Rohingya repatriation, as a delegation of 20 Rohingya Muslims and government officials from Bangladesh visited Myanmar’s Rakhine State. This visit aimed to encourage voluntary homecoming and marked an important step in the long-stalled repatriation process. Currently, around one million Rohingya Muslims reside in camps in Cox’s Bazar, having fled Myanmar’s military-led crackdown in 2017. Myanmar’s military has previously shown reluctance to accept the return of Rohingya, considering them foreign intruders and denying them citizenship.
Efforts to start repatriation in 2018 and 2019 failed due to the refugees’ fear of violence upon return. The matter remained stagnant, with Bangladesh requiring Myanmar’s initiative to regain momentum. However, progress was observed when a 17-member team from Myanmar arrived in Bangladesh on March 15 to review the list of Rohingya refugees as part of the repatriation program. Another positive sign was the visit of a delegation of 20 Rohingya, accompanied by seven Bangladesh government officials, to two villages in Rakhine State at the request of the Myanmar government. Although no timeframe has been established, the current efforts aim to repatriate approximately 1,100 refugees.
Breaking the deadlock
The recent visit of a Rohingya delegation to Myanmar’s Rakhine State was seen as a confidence-building measure for their potential repatriation. The Rohingya community, having suffered from violence and persecution, has expressed concerns about their safety and the guarantee of their rights and citizenship upon returning to Myanmar. Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees for six years, and the socioeconomic and security situation has been adversely affected. Repatriation has become an essential issue that needs resolution.
Bangladesh has raised the issue of Rohingya repatriation at international conferences with the support of several countries. However, Myanmar has shown disregard for international rules and conventions. The recent invitation extended by the military government to a Rohingya delegation for an inspection tour is seen as a symbolic action, likely intended to present a better image ahead of Myanmar’s submission to the International Court of Justice regarding the Rohingya genocide case.
This time, there is optimism from Bangladesh and the international community regarding Rohingya repatriation. A pilot repatriation initiative is being implemented, allowing both nations to gain experience and references for the process. China’s intervention has played a role in Myanmar’s increased willingness to collaborate on repatriation efforts.
The Myanmar military junta’s actions have faced criticism for human rights abuses since seizing power in February 2021. Pressure from Europe, the United States, and ASEAN, along with the exclusion of the junta from ASEAN summits, has intensified. The initiative for Rohingya repatriation has been catalysed by several factors, including a U.N. Security Council resolution and sanctions imposed by various countries. These measures have contributed to the push for the safe and voluntary return of the Rohingya refugees to their homeland. The junta may hope to improve international attitudes by initiating the long-stalled repatriation project.
Furthermore, the International Court of Justice issued temporary measures to protect the Rohingya as part of the on-going genocide case against Myanmar. The ICJ has required Myanmar to provide relevant updates every six months. The military regime must report the actions taken and the country’s objectives by May 24. The junta has an incentive to show progress before this deadline.
Sincerity of Myanmar military in question
Despite previous attempts in 2018 and 2019, repatriation efforts did not commence due to Myanmar’s lack of sincerity and the Rohingya’s concerns about the unfavourable conditions in Rakhine State. In an effort to address these concerns, Bangladesh is seeking the involvement of the UN Refugee Agency in the repatriation process. Despite efforts to facilitate the repatriation process, Myanmar’s military government is displaying reluctance to accept the proposal, thereby leaving the Rohingya community with lingering doubts and uncertainties. The unwillingness of the military government to fully cooperate hampers the resolution of the Rohingya’s lack of confidence in the repatriation process.
It is important to note that in a 2018 report, the UN recommended the investigation and prosecution of army head Min Aung Hlaing and other generals for genocide. Now, following the 2021 coup, Min Aung Hlaing is the de facto ruler of Myanmar. This history raises doubts about the military regime’s sincerity in the repatriation agreement, which involved the return of just over 1,000 Rohingya refugees. It appears that Myanmar’s military government may have used this limited repatriation as a tactic to alleviate international pressure and accountability, particularly from China and other countries.
In April, Myanmar’s military administration made an announcement stating their intention to initiate the repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh. They claimed that a trial operation was underway to repatriate 1,500 Rohingya, and a Myanmar representative team visited Bangladesh to conduct inspections. However, it is possible that Myanmar’s government initiated this campaign solely to gain an advantage before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) opens hearings on the Gambia’s case accusing Myanmar of genocide against the Rohingya.
In the past, a similar pattern has unfolded, as seen in February 2022, when Myanmar unexpectedly demonstrated keen interest in holding a joint working group meeting with Bangladesh, presenting it as supportive evidence during court proceedings. The recent extension granted by the ICJ until August 24, 2023, for Myanmar’s military regime to submit arguments in the case further emphasizes the urgency for advancement in the repatriation process. It is probable that Myanmar will strive to initiate the repatriation of Rohingya prior to the August deadline to maintain a positive perception by the court. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will seize this opportunity to initiate the repatriation process. Myanmar’s junta is currently facing legitimacy challenges both domestically and internationally, along with conflicts with rebel factions within the country. This is a crucial moment to exert pressure on the military rulers, with support from China, to take genuine action in bringing the Rohingya back to their homeland. Bangladesh must continue to pressure China and the international community to ensure their sustained involvement and prevent any questionable intentions from Myanmar.
