4th anniv of Rohingya exodus arrives with repatriation a far cry

GBNEWS24DESK//

Bangladesh continues to bear the burden of over 1.1 million Rohingyas as no repatriation took place over the last four years amid “lack of initiative” from the Myanmar side and “inadequate steps” by the international community. .

The last exodus began on 25 August 2017, when violence broke out in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, forcing thousands of Rohingyas to seek shelter in Bangladesh, reports UNB.

Most arrived in the first three months of the crisis and the vast majority reaching Bangladesh are women and children, and more than 40 per cent are under age 12, according to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency.

Bangladesh shares borders with Myanmar and thinks stability in Myanmar is critically important in finding a durable solution for the Rohingyas who are victims of atrocity crimes.

In June this year, Bangladesh expressed “deep disappointment” over a new resolution on Myanmar at the United Nations General Assembly as “it has failed to recommend actions” on repatriation of the Rohingyas and failed to adequately reflect on the crisis.

The resolution did not include any recommendations or actions on the issue of repatriation of the Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar. Neither does it recognize or stress the need for creating a conducive environment in Rakhine for the safe, sustainable and dignified return.

The resolution also lacks determination to address root causes of the Rohingya crisis through collective means.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said since there was no major violence in the Rakhine State in the last four years, repatriation can start under the supervision of a neutral international body.

Bangladesh also sought ASEAN role to convince Myanmar for creating a conducive environment for a safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas.

Dr Momen recently suggested that an ASEAN-led observer team may be deployed in the Rakhine State to oversee the repatriation process.